Best overall value
Key factors that influence moving costs from Mobile to Tallahassee
What to know before moving from Mobile to Tallahassee
Moving from Mobile to Tallahassee comes with exciting new opportunities โ but also higher living costs. Since Tallahassee is generally more expensive than Mobile, itโs important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Mobile | Tallahassee | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,300 | $1,410 |
| Average home value | $186,159 | $283,504 |
| Average income (per capita) | $61,962 | $49,077 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $1,825 | $2,019 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $4,104 | $4,631 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.2% | 5.1% |
| Sales tax | 10.0% | 7.5% |
| State income tax | 5.0% | 0.0% |
- Rent prices in Tallahassee are 9% higher than in Mobile, which means youโll have less money in your pocket each month.
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In terms of homeownership, youโll be able to get more for your money in Mobile.
Home prices in Tallahassee are 52.3% higher than in Mobile. - Income in Tallahassee is 20.8% lower than in Mobile, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Tallahassee include Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, and Florida A&M University.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Tallahassee, since the cost of living for a single person in Tallahassee is 10.6% higher than in Mobile. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If youโre moving your family to Tallahassee, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Tallahassee is 12.8% higher than in Mobile.
- The unemployment rate in Tallahassee is 17.74% lower than in Mobile.
- Youโll spend less on retail and restaurants in Tallahassee, since the cityโs sales taxes in Tallahassee are 25.00% lower than in Mobile.
- One perk of moving to Tallahassee is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Mobile.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,318.90 in Tallahassee to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Mobile.
How life is different in Mobile vs. Tallahassee
| Tallahassee | Mobile | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,731 | 187,041 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 5 | 3 |
| Walkability score | 30 | 32 |
| Bike friendliness score | 45 | 34 |
| Crime Index | 58.35 | 64.95 |
| Safety Index | 41.65 | 35.05 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- The population of Tallahassee is about 8% greater than Mobile, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
- Tallahassee offers better access to buses and trains than Mobile, based on public transportation ratings. Tallahassee has a transit score of 5 out of 10 compared to 3 in Mobile. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
- Youโll find Tallahassee to be about as walkable as Mobile. The two cities have similar walkability scores of 30 and 32 respectively out of 100 in terms of how close housing is to businesses, recreational facilities, and jobs.
- If cycling is your thing, Tallahassee is considered more bike-friendly than Mobile in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Tallahassee has a bike-friendliness score of 45 out of 100, while Mobile is rated as 34 out of 100.
- Tallahassee has a lower crime rate than Mobile based on scores of 58.35 and Mobile's 64.95, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
- You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Tallahassee than in Mobile, based on Tallahasseeโs safety index of 41.65 versus 35.05 for Mobile. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
- The air quality in Tallahassee and Mobile is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.
Other things to consider for your Mobile vs. Tallahassee move
- Weather: Tallahassee has long summers and short, mild winters, as well as drier springs and autumns.
- HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- State licensing: Individuals and companies engaging in for-profit local and intrastate moving within the Sunshine State must register each year with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services โ Division of Consumer Services. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Florida moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving permits: Florida does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Tallahassee. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.Released Value Protection stands out as a cost-effective choice, provided by movers at no extra expense, although it comes with limited coverage. In this option, the mover's liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. To ensure comprehensive coverage matching the full value of your items, consult with your chosen moving company about alternative options or explore third-party insurance providers. Secure the best protection for your belongings during the move with these tailored coverage choices.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.
Where to live in Tallahassee
Now that you've decided to make the move to "Tally", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Tallahassee.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Midtown
- College Town
- Railroad Square Art District
- Governorโs Square
- Magnolia Heights
Best neighborhoods for families
- Killearn Estates
- Southwood
- Betton Hills
- Killearn Lakes
- Piney Z
Things to do in Tallahassee
Once youโre settled into your new home in Florida, itโs time to get out and discover what Tallahassee has to offer. No matter your interests, thereโs something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: Tallahassee features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including the Tallahassee Antique Car Museum, Tallahassee Museum, Museum of Florida History, Florida Historic Capitol Museum, and Goodwood Museum and Gardens.
- Outdoor recreation: The cityโs Cascades Park, Dorothy B Oven Park, Lake Ella & Fred Drake Park, and Miccosukee Canopy Road Greenway โ among other spots โ perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Florida State Seminoles (NCAA) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Mobile to Tallahassee?
If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Mobile to Tallahassee. Youโll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in Mobile.
When is the cheapest time to move from Mobile to Tallahassee?
Because spring and fall moves from Mobile to Tallahassee are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.
How long does a move from Mobile to Tallahassee take?
Covering 242 miles, the move from Mobile, AL to Tallahassee, FL typically takes one to two days. Some Mobile movers may offer faster options, and if your timing is flexible, storage services inTallahassee can help bridge the gap.
