Once again, Florida is the number one state people are moving to, and according to the U.S. Census Bureau, Florida is the fastest growing state in the nation, sporting a population increase of nearly 2% between 2021 and 2022. As the third most populous state, that additional 2% brought the population up to 22,244,823 — that’s a lot!
How much does it cost to move to Florida? 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.
Below are average moving costs based on thousands of moves booked through HireAHelper and their affiliates.*
Florida Moving Costs in 2023
Avg. Cost of a Florida Move (Labor-only) – $391
Avg. Cost of a Florida Move w/ Transportation (Movers + Truck) – $911
Avg. Cost of a Long-Distance Move w/ FL Destination – ~$923-$8,050
Avg. Time and Distance of a Florida Move – 3.3 Hours
Avg. Distance of a Florida Move – 33 Miles
The time spent on a move that features an origin, destination, or both within Florida is 3.3 hours, while the average distance traveled is just over 30 miles. (Most moves are local.)
The average cost of a long-distance (or cross-country) move to Florida is roughly between $923 and $8,050 according to PODS. (This is actually an estimate using New York as a starting location with various final destinations in Florida.) The truth is that long-distance moving estimates can vary widely — much more than estimates for local moves.
Your final price will depend on factors such as:
- How many bedrooms you’re moving
- Which of the many different moving services you choose
- If you need your car shipped
- The time of year
- How far you are going
If the idea of a fully DIY move is daunting, but the price tag for hiring full-service movers is out of your range, then you might want to try a consumer-first moving service that hunts down the absolute best value in your area, provides customer service, and manages the whole move for you.
Moving marketplace companies will try to get you the best prices available, as opposed to a single moving company trying to sell you on their most expensive services. For example, MovingPlace offers a hybrid moving service where you load, they haul, and you save money in the process. (They can even take care of shipping your car!)
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How Do These Figures Compare to Other States?
$5 less, on avg.
The average cost of labor services for a Florida move is $5 less than the national average. (Across all move types and services, it costs an average of $396 to move locally anywhere within the country.)
The national average timeframe for moving is three hours (about twenty minutes shorter than an average Florida move), and items are transported an average of 74 miles (41 miles farther than the average Florida move). The specific moving services you use will make a difference, though.
The Current State of Moving to Florida in 2023
When it comes to moving, these last few years have been pretty wild, to say the least.
Unsurprisingly, the pandemic played a large part in the reasons people chose to move, in general . In 2020, some were forced to find more affordable living arrangements, while others chose to move closer to family. In 2021, remote work and the desire to buy and sell homes in affordable markets influenced moves. It follows that in 2022, many cited “delayed plans” for their reason to move, as they were finally freed up to make the moves they had planned months or years earlier.
In 2023, economics and quality of life seem to be the main drivers for relocations. Americans are moving away from cities and states with inclement weather, high crime, and higher costs of living and into those with lower tax rates, better housing markets, and warmer weather. According to PODS data, the southern states are the most popular destinations, accounting for 17 out of the top 20 spots on their list of the most moved-to cities. (Three Florida cities made it into their top five!)
This lines up with HireAHelper’s own migration report as well, which found Florida to be the state with the most move-ins (by volume) last year.
While the cost of living in Florida may not be the absolute lowest, it’s still more affordable than 40 percent of U.S. states, coming in at less than 3 points above the national average. And when it comes to state taxes, Floridians have it made in the shade. And those who plan on retiring in Florida will be happy to hear that (once again) it’s been rated the best state to retire in.
Key 2023 Florida Moving Stats
Whether you opt for rental trucks or portable containers, there are multiple moving options available to you, and each one comes with its own pros and cons — including the price tag!
Avg. Cost of All Labor-only Moving Services
| Transportation Type | Avg. Labor-Only |
| Container | $440 |
| Truck | $480 |
Avg. Cost of Labor-only Moving Services in Florida by Type
Hiring labor-only saves people money, but which end of the move you hire for statistically makes a difference! The average cost of moving services by job type compared to the U.S. average is as follows:
| Moving Service | U.S. Average | FL Average |
| Full move w/ both loading and unloading booked together | $573 | $469 |
| Moves with only unloading help | $343 | $329 |
| Moves with only loading help | $396 | $365 |
| On-site help only | $309 | $319 |
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Which Cities in Florida Are Growing and Shrinking?
Florida City With the Greatest Population Increase**
Petersburg, FL (+57%)
Home to award-winning gulf coast beaches, a vibrant nightlife, and renowned museums, St. Petersburg is a primo destination located within Tampa Bay. Located just south of famous Clearwater Beach and west of Tampa, residents have access to all this tri-city area has to offer.
Florida City With the Greatest Population Loss**
Delray Beach, FL (-31%)
Despite the population loss, Delray is still dubbed the “enchanting village by the sea,” with a gorgeous beach and a charming downtown. Here you’ll find unique boutiques and a myriad of restaurants, art galleries, and bars.
**Population change over the last 12 months
Which Cities in Florida Are the Most Affordable?
Here’s a closer look at six of the most affordable cities in Florida and how their average household incomes and home values compare to the state averages*.
Most Affordable Florida Cities (by Median Home Value and Household Income)
| City | Zillow Home Value | Median Household Income | Home Value to Household Income (Ratio) |
| Jacksonville | $298,897 | $58,263 | 100:19 |
| Tallahassee | $269,713 | $49,077 | 100:18 |
| Lakeland | $288,194 | $52,972 | 100:18 |
| Palm Bay | $307,952 | $55,963 | 100:18 |
| St. Petersburg | $357,690 | $64,375 | 100:17 |
| Gainesville | $288,260 | $40,937 | 100:14 |
| Florida Avg. | $385,157 | $69,021 | 100:18 |
*Sources: Average home values are based on Zillow data and median household incomes are based on U.S. Census data (expressed in 2021 dollars) available as of last reported (June 2022).
Cost of Moving WITHIN Florida
Moving costs for a local Florida move (within 50 miles) tend to be less variable than long-distance moving costs.
The data repeatedly shows that you can expect to pay roughly $270–$625 for moving labor during a local Florida move. The factor that will most impact your estimate is which Florida city you’re leaving. (This is because the average cost of moving labor for some Florida cities is substantially more than others.)
Least Expensive Origin Cities for Moves Within Florida (Avg. for local move)
| City | Average Move Cost
(Labor-only) |
| Delray Beach | $268 |
| Boynton Beach | $289 |
| Wesley Chapel | $322 |
| Ormond Beach | $322 |
| Boca Raton | $326 |
Most Expensive Origin Cities for Moves Within Florida (Avg. for local move)
| City | Average Move Cost
(Labor-only) |
| Gainesville | $624 |
| Tallahassee | $547 |
| Winter Garden | $546 |
| Sarasota | $516 |
| Palm Coast | $500 |
What Are Florida’s 2023 Tax Rates?
When planning for the cost of moving to Florida, it’s important to think beyond expenses like movers and packing supplies. Local taxes are an ongoing expense, which is important to consider before making the move.
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: 32.22¢
- 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 metros, you don’t necessarily have to live there. There are plenty of affordable Florida suburbs that offer a great quality of living with proximity to big-city amenities.
In last year’s