How much does it cost to move to Florida?

A full-service interstate move into Florida for a three-bedroom household typically runs $4,000 to $7,500. Long-haul moves from the Northeast or Pacific coast sit at the higher end. Local Florida moves (within state, under 100 miles) typically run $1,000 to $2,200. Peak season (May through August) adds 10-25% to most quotes; off-peak (September through April, excluding the December holiday window) is your best window for rate flexibility.

When is hurricane season, and should I avoid moving during it?

Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, with peak activity from mid-August through mid-October. Most full-service moving companies will execute moves during hurricane season, but they reserve the right to delay or reroute around active named storms. If your move is in the peak window, build flexibility into your schedule: don't book non-refundable lodging or sell-by-date contingencies tightly. Coastal counties (Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Lee) face the highest disruption risk.

How long do I have to register my vehicle after moving to Florida?

You must title and register your vehicle within 30 days of establishing Florida residency, per the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). The process requires a VIN inspection (which can be performed by an FLHSMV agent, a Florida notary, or a Florida law enforcement officer), proof of Florida insurance, the original out-of-state title, and proof of identity. New residents must obtain a Florida driver license within 10 days of establishing residency if they'll be driving.

When must I register to vote in Florida?

Voter registration applications must be submitted at least 29 days before the election in which you wish to vote. Florida offers online voter registration at registertovoteflorida.gov, by mail, or in person at any county Supervisor of Elections office, public library, or driver license office.

Does Florida have a state income tax?

No. Florida is one of nine U.S. states with no state income tax. The state's general sales tax is 6%, with most counties adding a local discretionary surtax of 0.5% to 1.5%. Property taxes are below the national average, with a homestead exemption available to primary residents that exempts $50,000 of assessed value from non-school property taxes.

What should I know about Florida home insurance before I move?

Florida's homeowner insurance market has been stressed for several years due to hurricane losses and litigation costs. Premiums are well above the national average, particularly in coastal counties, and many national carriers have stopped writing new policies in the state. If you're buying a home, get insurance quotes before you close — affordability and availability vary widely by ZIP code, and a property in a flood zone may also require separate flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation publishes an active carriers list and rate filings.

Moving to Florida

Moving to Florida.

Florida has crossed 22 million residents and is now the third-largest state by population, behind only California and Texas. Inbound migration is heavy and sustained — the U.S. Census Bureau's most recent state-to-state migration data shows Florida among the top three destination states for domestic moves. The pull is some combination of climate, no state income tax, and a housing market that, in many of the state's metros, is still cheaper than the Northeast and California origin points most movers come from. Move costs into Florida vary heavily by season. Peak season (May through August) sees the highest rates on both interstate and local moves, in part because of demand and in part because hurricane preparedness pulls some carriers' Florida-side capacity. A three-bedroom interstate move into Florida typically runs $4,000 to $7,500. Local moves (within Florida, under 100 miles) more often fall in the $1,000 to $2,200 range. Florida has no state income tax — only seven other states share that — but new residents face several time-bound deadlines: 30 days to title and register a vehicle with the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, 29 days before an election to register to vote, and 10 days from establishing residency to obtain a Florida driver license if you'll be driving.

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The editor's picks

Three movers we'd actually call first if we were moving in Florida, with reasoning. Drawn from the top 10 by data score.

Other top-rated movers

The remaining seven from the data shortlist. All scored well; the editor just had to pick three.

FAQs about moving to Florida

How much does it cost to move to Florida?: A full-service interstate move into Florida for a three-bedroom household typically runs $4,000 to $7,500. Long-haul moves from the Northeast or Pacific coast sit at the higher end. Local Florida moves (within state, under 100 miles) typically run $1,000 to $2,200. Peak season (May through August) adds 10-25% to most quotes; off-peak (September through April, excluding the December holiday window) is your best window for rate flexibility.
When is hurricane season, and should I avoid moving during it?: Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, with peak activity from mid-August through mid-October. Most full-service moving companies will execute moves during hurricane season, but they reserve the right to delay or reroute around active named storms. If your move is in the peak window, build flexibility into your schedule: don't book non-refundable lodging or sell-by-date contingencies tightly. Coastal counties (Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Lee) face the highest disruption risk.
How long do I have to register my vehicle after moving to Florida?: You must title and register your vehicle within 30 days of establishing Florida residency, per the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). The process requires a VIN inspection (which can be performed by an FLHSMV agent, a Florida notary, or a Florida law enforcement officer), proof of Florida insurance, the original out-of-state title, and proof of identity. New residents must obtain a Florida driver license within 10 days of establishing residency if they'll be driving.
When must I register to vote in Florida?: Voter registration applications must be submitted at least 29 days before the election in which you wish to vote. Florida offers online voter registration at registertovoteflorida.gov, by mail, or in person at any county Supervisor of Elections office, public library, or driver license office.
Does Florida have a state income tax?: No. Florida is one of nine U.S. states with no state income tax. The state's general sales tax is 6%, with most counties adding a local discretionary surtax of 0.5% to 1.5%. Property taxes are below the national average, with a homestead exemption available to primary residents that exempts $50,000 of assessed value from non-school property taxes.
What should I know about Florida home insurance before I move?: Florida's homeowner insurance market has been stressed for several years due to hurricane losses and litigation costs. Premiums are well above the national average, particularly in coastal counties, and many national carriers have stopped writing new policies in the state. If you're buying a home, get insurance quotes before you close — affordability and availability vary widely by ZIP code, and a property in a flood zone may also require separate flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation publishes an active carriers list and rate filings.