Moving from Tempe, AZ to Fort Lauderdale, FL
A 2326 mi cross-country move between Tempe and Fort Lauderdale is 40h 45m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2326 mi · 40h 45m by car · AZ → NM → TX → LA → MS → AL → FL
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ → NM → TX → LA → MS → AL → FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, TX 130 |
| Major cities en route | Phoenix, Mesa, Gilbert, Glendale, Scottsdale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tempe | Fort Lauderdale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 10.5% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 10.5% higher home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Tempe -1.7%, Fort Lauderdale -4.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Tempe | Fort Lauderdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 72°F | 77°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 60°F |
| July avg high | 106°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.8" | 64.3" |
Annual temperature rises 5.1°F moving to Fort Lauderdale per NOAA normals.
Fort Lauderdale gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: TEMPE ASU, AZ US, FT LAUDERDALE BEACH, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tempe | Fort Lauderdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 186,419 | 183,032 |
| Median household income | $77,643 | $79,935 |
| Median age | 29.9 | 42.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.9% | 23.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.27 |
Median household incomes in Tempe ($77,643) and Fort Lauderdale ($79,935) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fort Lauderdale MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 393,730 | $41,640 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 306,440 | $37,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 261,940 | $30,720 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 239,610 | $37,610 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 194,910 | $77,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arizona and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Fort Lauderdale average 91°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Fort Lauderdale averages 64.3 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November — stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Tempe to Fort Lauderdale?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2326 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Fort Lauderdale more expensive than Tempe?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Lauderdale is 10.5% higher than Tempe (114.155 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Fort Lauderdale, FL from Tempe, AZ?
The driving distance is 2326 mi and the route typically takes 40h 45m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Fort Lauderdale compare to Tempe?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Fort Lauderdale MSA vs $48,600 in the Tempe MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Tempe and Fort Lauderdale?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 76.9°F in Fort Lauderdale vs 71.8°F in Tempe (5.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 64.3 in vs 8.8 in.
How does household income compare in Tempe vs Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale vs $77,643 in Tempe — a 3.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Fort Lauderdale compared to Tempe?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale vs $468,281 in Tempe — a 8.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tempe.
City profiles: Tempe, AZ · Fort Lauderdale, FL.