Moving guide · Ontario → Florida

Moving from Toronto to Fort Lauderdale

Canals, boating and Atlantic beaches with tropical winters. Here's how life in Fort Lauderdale compares with Toronto, and what changes when you cross the border.

Fort Lauderdale is roughly 25°C warmer than Toronto in January (about -5°C → 20°C), with little or no snow instead of about 120 cm a year and around 45 more sunny days. A typical home costs roughly 27% less in Fort Lauderdale (about C$1,050,000 vs US$560,000, compared at a sample exchange rate), and everyday costs in Fort Lauderdale are above the US average. Florida has no state income tax, compared with a medium provincial income tax in Ontario. For lifestyle, you gain warm winters, beach and golf and leave behind big city and live music. (Approximate figures.)

Weather
January average
-5°C → 20°C (+25°)
July average
22°C → 29°C (+7°)
Sunny days a year
200 → 245
Snow a year
120 → 0 cm
Money (approximate)
Cost of living index
125 → 118
Typical home
C$1,050,000 → US$560,000
Property tax rate
0.7% → 1.1%
Provincial or state income tax
Medium → None
Health care in Fort Lauderdale
Private, ~US$520/mo (approx.)
Getting around in Fort Lauderdale
Airport
15 min
Ski hill
3h+
Beach or lake
10 min
Main industries
Tourism, marine, health, finance
Lifestyle and risks
You gain
Warm wintersBeachGolf
You leave behind
Big cityLive music
Wildfire: Low Flood: High Heat: High
Crossing the border

Moving from Canada to the USA

Staying vs. moving
As a visitor you can usually spend up to about 6 months a year in the US. Living or working there full time needs a visa or green card (TN, E-2, L-1, H-1B and others).
Mortgages
US lenders often want a larger down payment from Canadians and may need an ITIN or US credit. Some Canadian banks have US arms that use your Canadian credit history.
Taxes
Plan for both countries: US property tax, state income tax, and Canadian departure-tax rules if you become a non-resident. Selling later can trigger US withholding (FIRPTA).
Health care
Provincial coverage usually ends after a long absence. Budget for US health insurance from day one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm your situation with a licensed immigration lawyer and cross-border tax adviser.
Step-by-step: Canada → USA ›Legal must-dos ›Moving FAQ ›
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Climate, cost and risk figures are approximate and for comparison only. Prices are in each place's local currency.

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