If moving to Florida is in your future, you are not alone. With its spectacular climate (say hello to the year-round tan!) and carefree lifestyle, the Sunshine State has become a must-go destination for many Americans. To assist you during your big move, we have developed this handy how-to guide covering all the little details you need to know before moving to Florida!
Unfortunately, getting that year-round tan in the Sunshine State will come at a cost –but it will all be worth it! When it comes to the costs of moving to Florida, there are a few factors that will influence your bottom line. The distance and size of your move will play the biggest role, so get to eyeballing your upcoming plans!
Sirelo Tip! Wondering how to determine the size of your move? Our handy moving space calculator is here to help. 😉
To give you a rough idea of what you can expect, we have compiled the average moving costs for full-service moves from the East Cost to popular Florida destinations:
| Destination | 1-bedroom | 2-bedrooms | 3-bedrooms |
| Miami | $3,679 – $5,137 | $5,137 – $6,602 | $7,966 – $10,795 |
| Tampa | $3,672 – $5,127 | $5,127 – $6,588 | $7,948 – $10,771 |
| Orlando | $3,558 – $4,957 | $4,957 – $6,367 | $7,682 – $10,408 |
| Tallahassee | $3,556 – $4,954 | $4,954 – $6,362 | $7,676 – $10,400 |
| Jacksonville | $3,456 – $4,807 | $4,807 – $6,171 | $7,445 – $10,086 |
Please keep in mind that the rates shown above are just estimates and thus will vary depending on your actual point of departure and service rates of the company.
Is the West coast your starting point? We got your back. Below you can find the average moving costs for a full-service moves from the West Coast to the most populated cities in Florida:
| Destination | 1-bedroom | 2-bedrooms | 3-bedrooms |
| Miami | $4,640 – $6,562 | $6,562 – $8,455 | $10,194 – $13,819 |
| Tampa | $4,475 – $6,317 | $6,317 – $8,135 | $9,809 – $13,294 |
| Orlando | $4,554 – $6,433 | $6,433 – $8,287 | $9,991 – $13,542 |
| Tallahassee | $4,393 – $6,195 | $6,195 – $7,977 | $9,617 – $13,033 |
| Jacksonville | $4,472 – $6,312 | $6,312 – $8,129 | $9,800 – $13,283 |
Please keep in mind that the rates shown above are just estimates and thus will vary depending on your actual point of departure and service rates of the company.
By now we are sure you can tell, there are many answers to the question, “So how much does it cost to move to Florida?” In truth, despite the best estimates, you will never know how much your move to Florida will cost until you receive a quote from a real moving company.
But that should not be all! At Sirelo, we strongly recommend you shop around between different moving companies, comparing quotes to find the best price. By filling out the form below, you will receive up to five no-strings-attached quotes for free from reliable movers. Easy!
Up for the challenge of moving to Florida? Remembering everything you need to do before, during, and after your move to Florida will be quite the task. While we know you are one of the gifted ones with a steel-trap memory, just in case we have created a checklist for your move to Florida. 😉
Below we have summarized the most important points to remember for moving to Florida. For a detailed deep dive, read on!
Sirelo Tip! Looking for a detailed checklist that covers the entire moving process? Take a look at our full moving checklist!
Like in many states, Medicaid is available to qualifying low-income Americans and Medicare for older individuals. If you’re not eligible, it’s recommended that you take out private health insurance.
By law, businesses with more than fifty full-time employees are required to provide medical coverage to employees up to the age of twenty-six. Not too shabby!
With Florida’s vast size and population, one will find top-notch hospitals and private practices in and around Florida’s many major cities and large towns. Top-ranked state universities ensure a steady production of new doctors, so you will be ensured quality care after moving to Florida.
Unless you move to Florida with a job or are retired, you will most likely be interested in working in Florida. With an unemployment rate of 3.4%, the Sunshine State is one of the states with the lowest unemployment rates in the country.
In addition, Miami is the third best city in the US to build a startup. This is another indication of the abundance of jobs in Florida, and the abundance of local talent has many large companies moving to Florida (including Wall Street 🤑).
This opportunity is reflected in the average salary in Florida, $51,908, well above the national average.
Popular industries in Florida include:
When it comes to finding a job in Florida, we recommend the following platforms:
Lastly, in recent years it has become possible to start working in Florida before you move. By applying for work-from-home jobs in Florida, you can speed up your relocation timeline!
For those moving to Florida, it is common to wonder how you will relocate your furry friends as well. When it comes to moving to Florida with pets, the rules are quite simple. You must vaccinate your pet against rabies and be able to provide certification when prompted.
If your move to Florida has you getting on a plane, your airline will request a health certificate issued at least 10 days before the day of your flight.
When it comes to the cost of living in Florida, they fall s\
To buy or rent –what to do? The average rent in Florida comes in around $1,790, about 8.5% higher than the national average. After moving to Florida, your monthly rental costs will of course vary depending on your city and property size. Before signing that lease, it pays to understand tenant rights in Florida!
Below you can find a brief overview of the average rent costs based on property size across Florida:
| Property Size | Average Monthly Rent |
| Studio | $1,575 |
| 1-bedroom | $1,399 |
| 2-bedroom | $1,630 |
| 3-bedroom | $1,800 |
| 4-bedroom | $2,000 |
Please keep in mind that the prices reflected above are just estimates. The rent can vary depending on the location and characteristics of the property.
Looking to buy? Then expect median prices to range between $250,000 and $300,000.
Total foodies will want to explore the culinary scene after moving to Florida –from Cuban sandwiches to authentic key lime pies, Florida’s food culture definitely has a lot to offer. Whether it is for a restaurant meal or a home-cooked spread, understanding common food costs is essential to proper budgeting.
| Product | Cost |
| 1 qt. of the whole milk | $0.93 |
| Carton of 12 eggs | $3.97 |
| 16 oz. of cheese | $6 |
| 2 lb. of apples | $3.37 |
| 1 lb. of chicken | $5.25 |
| Bottle of wine | $12 |
| 1 lb. of beef round | $5.49 |
| Loaf of fresh bread | $2.64 |
| 1 lb. of bananas | $0.81 |
| 1 lb. of rice | $1.82 |
Will public transportation be a central part of life after moving to Florida? Don’t worry! The Sunshine State offers a well-developed public transport system to its residents. For a 5-mile taxi ride, costs are on average $19. When it comes to city bus fares, you can expect the following:
Plan to bring your car with you but your move to Florida has you boarding a plane? Then shipping a car to Florida is definitely another expense to watch out for. Shipping a car to Florida from the East Coast costs around $850 and $1,500 from the West Coast.
How much can you expect to pay at the pump? The Florida heat is not the only thing that is rising, as gas prices have risen to $3.57 at the time of this writing.
Now touching on everyone’s favorite topic, taxes, we have good news for you! Florida does not collect income tax, which will be a refreshing change for Californians or New Yorkers moving to Florida.
But because the only sure things in life are death and taxes, Florida does collect sales tax on consumer goods. The state sales tax rate is 6%, with some counties (like Miami-Dade) collecting their own supplementary sales tax ranging between 0.5% and 2.5%.
Be aware, however, if you maintain a residence in another state after moving to Florida, as this may impact your tax filings depending on where your income is earned and where your assets are stored.
Popular images of Florida are well known to many, with pristine beaches, theme parks, college feet, balls, and much more. But is this really living in FloriManyMuch of these images are true, how, ever they do not capture the full picture.
In fact, Florida is far more diverse than most Americans (and perhaps even some Floridians!) know. To give you a Sneek peak into this diversity, we detail what living in Florida is like in its three major regions:
Are you weighing the benefits of moving to Florida? We can imagine! It is good to know that typically people do not regret moving to Florida, despite the fact that there are a few cons (after into each life some rain must fall…). We dive into the ups and downs of moving to Florida below:
People moving to Florida know that there is no shortage of things to themselves self busy with. In fact, many report that recreation is a primary motivating factor to move at all!
So what can you get up to? Besides visiting good ol’ Mickey Mouse and working on your tan, there are many attractions on offer. For example, did you know Florida (particularly Miami) has a strong art scene?
To aid your imagination a little, we compiled a list of some popular entertainment activities in the state of Florida and their respective costs below!
| Plan | Average Cost |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $26 |
| Fancy dinner for two | $94 |
| Basic dinner for two | $45 |
| 1 cappuccino in a local shop | $4.38 |
| One-month gym membership | $42 |
| One-day ticket to Disney World’s Magic Kingdom | $105 |
| One-day ticket to other Disney World parks | $97 |
| One-day ticket to Universal Studios | $96 |
| One-day ticket to Kennedy Space Center | $56 |
We hope that by now you are completely prepared to take on moving to Florida. In case you need further assistance with your move to the Sunshine State, we recommend checking out the articles linked below for further reading. Good luck! ☀
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