While Florida has been ousted out of its spot as the number-one place people are moving to (it’s now in third), its population growth rate is still the fastest in the country — and that momentum doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon.
After all, who could blame anyone for wanting to become a Floridian? With year-round sunshine, coastline on nearly every side, a relatively affordable cost of living — and let’s not forget, it’s home to Disney World — the appeal is hard to deny.
That said, if you’re planning to join the ranks of people moving to Florida, you’ll want to know what it’s going to cost you. Every move is unique, but it’s definitely possible to get a good idea of what expenses to expect.
Keep reading for a breakdown of typical Florida moving costs, key factors that influence your total, the cost of living in Florida for a single person, and tips to help you budget wisely for your move to the Sunshine State.
Fast Facts on Florida Moves in 2025
- The state’s Population growth rate leads the nation: From mid-2020 to mid-2024, Florida’s population increased by 8.24%, making it the fastest-growing state in percentage terms — just ahead of Idaho and Texas — per Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
- International migration drives much of the growth: Of the ~467,347 people added between 2023–2024, 411,322 were from international migration — making up nearly 88% of the total increase.
- Other popular new residents include: retirees in search of sunshine and low-cost living; tech and finance professionals (especially those moving to Miami and Fort Lauderdale); and families drawn to mid-size cities with affordable housing. (source)
Florida Moving Costs in 2025
How Much Does it Cost to Move to Florida for a Local?
Moving costs for a local Florida move (within 50 miles) tend to be less variable than long-distance moving costs.
According to our proprietary data at HireAHelper, the average cost of a local move in the state of Florida varies depending on the moving solution. Here’s the breakdown:
- Average Cost of a Florida Move (Labor Only) – $399.36
- Average Cost of a Florida Move with Transportation (Movers + Truck) – $1,048.75
The data repeatedly shows that you can expect to pay roughly $360–$540 for moving labor during a local Florida move. The factors that will most impact your estimate the most are which Florida city you’re leaving (thanks to labor pricing disparities) and the distance of your move.
How Much Does it Cost to Move to Florida From Out of State?
Long-distance Florida move estimates can vary widely — much more than estimates for local moves. According to our sample move estimates, moving to Florida from out of state can cost anywhere from $530 to $8,647, depending on the distance and move type.
Here’s a cost breakdown of various Florida moves for a 2-bedroom home*.
| Sample Move Route | Mileage | Rental Truck** | Freight Trailer | Moving Container | Full-Service |
| Atlanta to Jacksonville | 386.3 miles | 🚚Rental: $409 –$511
⛽Gas: $121 |
$1,138 – $1,771 | $1,340 – $2,281 | $2,190 – $5,553 |
| Austin to Tampa | 1,144.0 miles | 🚚Rental: $1465 –$1831.00
⛽Gas: $359 |
$1,647 – $2,637 | $1,980 – $3,361 | $3,159 – $7,467 |
| NYC to Miami | 1,288.2 miles | 🚚Rental: $2,824 –$3671.00 ⛽Gas: $405 | $1,571 – $2,791 | $1,985 – $3,489 | $3,110 – $6,136 |
| Los Angeles to Miami | 2,734.7 miles | 🚚Rental: $4,628 – $5785.00 + ⛽Gas: $858 | $2,499 – $4,465 | $3,216 – $5,420 | $4,618 – $8,647 |
**Taxes not included; additional fees may apply. Fuel costs based on the July 2025 national average ($3.14/gallon) and an estimated 10 MPG.
Additional Moving Expenses to Budget For
On top of your baseline moving expenses, there are other costs to budget for when moving to Florida, especially if you’re moving to a coastal area or into a home with a pool.
Home insurance
In the state of Florida, you expect to pay around $3,000–$4,000 per year for a $550K single-family home — thanks to higher risk factors like storm exposure and swimming pools.
Flood insurance for homes in flood zones adds an average of $544 per year.
If you’re looking for extra protection, hurricane coverage with a 2% deductible can total $4,419 per year on average —although this isn’t required legally.
Utility bills
As with moving anywhere, you’ll need to budget for setting up utility services for electricity, water, or internet.
Speaking of electricity, expect some higher bills during the summertime thanks to constant A/C use —Florida households spend 29% more on electricity than the national average.
It’s also a good idea to have your HVAC system professionally serviced at least twice a year (an average of $105–$200 per visit) to keep it running efficiently.
Home maintenance costs
If you’re moving from a colder climate, you might be surprised by the upkeep that comes with warm-weather perks like pools and lush yards. Don’t forget to budget for pool maintenance ($960–$1,800 per year) and lawn care ($180–$220 per month on average for a medium-sized yard) for your Florida home.
A Note About Florida Tax Rates
Local taxes are an ongoing expense anywhere, which is why it’s important to consider the change in rates before making a move somewhere new.
“[T]he cost of living in Florida for a single person is 2% higher than the national average [in 2025], but it’s still more affordable than 16 other U.S. states.”
Fortunately for anyone considering a move to the Sunshine State, taxes are quite low in Florida. If you’re moving from a state with a heavier tax burden, you’ll probably find that your paycheck will stretch further in Florida, and it suddenly won’t be so hard to put away a little for savings.
Sales taxes in Florida include:
- Florida income tax rate: 0% (There are no income taxes in FL.)
- Florida sales tax rate: 6%
- Average local sales tax rate: 1.05%
- Florida gasoline tax rate: 38.6¢
- Florida cigarette tax rate: $1.34 (per 20-pack)
If you’re considering moving to Florida, be sure to compare the cost of living in your new city to your current city. Even if you’re moving for a job that requires you to work in one of the state’s larger, more expensive metro areas, you don’t necessarily have to live there. There are plenty of affordable Florida suburbs that offer a great quality of living with close proximity to big-city amenities.
Factors That Impact The Cost of Moving in Florida
Several factors influence your total cost of moving in Florida:
- Distance and route: Generally speaking, the farther you’re moving, the more money it will cost you. This is because longer distances require more gas (and labor, if you’re hiring movers), plus routes are more likely to involve toll fees.
- Size of your home: One of the biggest factors in your moving cost is the size of your household. Moving a studio or a 3-bedroom apartment to Florida will have very different costs. Pricing is usually based on the weight or volume of your stuff. The higher the square footage of your home, the more stuff you’re likely going to have —and the higher the price tag.
- Moving solution: There are multiple ways to move —from renting a truck and doing it yourself to hiring full-service movers for a hands-off experience. The less effort you expend in your move, the more you can expect to pay, making full-service movers generally the most expensive option. There is a happy medium, however —renting a truck or hiring a moving container provider as well as hourly labor, so you can get some help with driving, the heavy lifting, or both.
- Seasonality: When you choose to move can make a big difference in your final bill. If you relocate during the summertime, which is peak moving season, you’ll often end up paying more.
- Special access requirements: If your home is harder to access, thanks to stairs, elevators, or having to park the moving truck far from the entrance, it’s likely your moving company will charge you extra fees.
- Packing materials and supplies: It’s easy to forget about supplies like boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and packing paper —they can add up to hundreds of dollars for the average-sized home.
- Insurance and valuation coverage: Opting for Full Value Protection, which covers the (you guessed it) full value of your items in case of damage or loss, can tack on an extra 1% of the declared value of your belongings. If you want extra peace of mind or coverage for high-value items, third-party insurance can also be purchased.
Florida Cost of Living vs. the United States
At $50,689, the cost of living in Florida for a single person is 2% higher than the national average, but it’s still more affordable than 16 other U.S. states. And when it comes to state taxes, Floridians have it made.
Where Florida is Cheaper:
- Income Taxes: Florida is one of the few states with no income tax.
- Healthcare costs: These tend to be 2% lower than the national average.
- Utilities: Florida’s utility costs 2% lower than the national average, although A/C-heavy summers can and do spike electricity bills.
Where Florida Is More Expensive:
- Homeowners insurance: Due to hurricanes and flood risk, insurance rates are significantly higher than the national average, sometimes as much as double.
- Property taxes: With Florida’s lack of income tax, local governments rely more on property taxes, especially in the more popular coastal areas.
- Housing: Housing costs in hot destinations like Miami, Tampa, and Orlando have seen significant rises in recent years, although smaller towns and inland areas tend to be more affordable. The net result is a 4% higher housing costs compared to the national average.
- Groceries: Grocery costs in Florida are about 4% higher than the national average, thanks in part to tourism-heavy areas and higher transportation costs for imported goods.
Which Cities in Florida Are the Most Affordable?
Here’s a closer look at five of the most affordable cities in Florida.
Most Affordable Florida Cities
| City | Zillow Home Value | Average Rent | Median Household Income |
| Lake City | $263,047 | $1,636 | $51,175 |
| Ocala | $272,939 | $1,640 | $58,535 |
| Pensacola | $264,116 | $1,745 | $72,699 |
| Daytona Beach | $257,409 | $1,645 | $50,130 |
| Pine Hills | $281,333 | $1,900 | $55,692 |
*Sources: Average home values and average rent are based on Zillow data, and median household incomes are based on Data USA available as of last reported (July 2025).
Ways to Save Money on Your Move to Florida
Moving to Florida doesn’t have to break the bank —there are some ways you can trim your moving expenses without compromising your moving experience:
- Move during the off-season: Peak moving months (summertime when school is out —May through August ) tend to have peak moving rates. If possible, schedule your move for the fall or winter for better availability and lower pricing.
- Declutter before you pack: No matter which moving solution you go with, the less stuff you have, the less you’ll end up paying. Donate, sell, or toss anything you don’t need to bring with you, especially bulky items like furniture or anything big but replaceable.
- Shop around: Collect a minimum of 3 quotes from reputable moving companies to make sure you’re getting the best rate for your move. Watch out for quotes that seem exceptionally lower than the others — these could be scams where you’re charged exorbitant fees to get your stuff back from movers. HireAHelper makes it easy to compare pricing from vetted, licensed professionals without the hassle of calling up multiple companies.
- Use labor-only movers with a rental truck: If you’re looking to save on costs and don’t mind doing the driving yourself, you can cut down on costs significantly by renting a truck on your own and hiring hourly loading and unloading help.
- Pack yourself — and get creative: DIY packing can save you hundreds of dollars. Use recycled (but still sturdy) moving boxes, as well as your own linens and towels for padding, to save on the costs of packing supplies.
- Look for discounts: Many companies offer special promotions for (AAA and military members, students, seniors, and more). Ask if there are any special discounts available for your situation. If you’re collecting moving quotes from multiple companies, you can also check to see if they offer price-matching.
FAQs About Moving to Florida
Is it cheaper to hire movers or rent a truck to Florida?
Renting a truck is nearly always cheaper than hiring a full-service moving company, although it does require a lot more effort. You’ll have to take care of the packing, loading, driving, unloading, and unloading all on your own, but you’ll end up saving significantly. Alternatively, you can hire help for just the packing and loading if you’re looking to save on time and effort.
How far in advance should I book a Florida move?
As with any move, it’s best to book your Florida move at least 6–8 weeks before, especially if you’re making a long-distance move during peak moving season (the summer months). By booking early, you can ensure you get the dates you want, and you may even save on costs.
Do movers charge extra for Florida’s heat or weather conditions?
Movers don’t typically charge extra for any weather-related conditions, but Florida’s heat and inclement weather may possibly lead to slowdowns, amounting to a higher bill if you’re paying hourly. Sometimes, moving companies may need to reschedule due to severe and dangerous storms, especially during hurricane season.
What’s the cheapest month to move to Florida?
The cheapest time to move to Florida, and any other state, is October through April — well outside of the busy summer months. During this off-season, you’ll generally find more affordable prices, better availability, and better weather conditions.