($1,253) Moving From California to Florida
Quick answer: The average cost to move from California to Florida ranges from $1,575 to $8,121 and takes seven-twenty-one days. The top cost factors are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.
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Hiring a full-service California moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.
You may also want to consider the potential added cost of getting your vehicle or boat to your new home as part of your move. Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from California to Florida separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Florida to California guide.
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The best California to Florida movers
Hiring an interstate moving company from California to Florida is a big deal.
There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don’t worry, you won’t have to filter through all of them. We’ve done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.
Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving California to Florida:
- Safeway Moving: Best overall value
- Mayzlin Relocation: Best for personalized service
- BLVD Moving: Best for quick quotes
- PODS: Best nationwide coverage
- American Van Lines: Most experienced mover
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
- Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 support
- Price-matching policy
- Family owned & operated
- Affordable pricing
- Binding estimates
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.
Looking for local California movers?
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
most popular
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Get A Quote |
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3600 S Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401 (805) 544-6328 |
| Grace Moving Company | Get A Quote |
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800 Janopaul Lane, Modesto, CA, 95351 (209) 551-7772 |
| Grizzly Moving | Get A Quote |
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7090 Miramar Rd #102, San Diego, CA, 92121 (844) 474-9959 |
Visit our Best Movers in California page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.
How much does it cost to move from California to Florida?
The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from California to Florida for different moving services depending on the size of your home.
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $1,253 - $5,600 | $1,377 - $3,534 | $1,544 - $2,817 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,958 - $8,121 | $2,493 - $4,948 | $1,575 - $3,631 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $7,156 - $11,624 | $3,202 - $6,954 | $2,154 - $4,159 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 2,738 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect your final costs.
Factors affecting the cost of moving from CA to FL
There are many factors that influence California moving costs. The cost to move from California to Florida will depend on these factors:
- Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
- Time of year: The peak moving season in California is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
- DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.
How much does it cost to hire movers from California to Florida?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from California to Florida will cost between $1,253 and $5,600. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from CA to FL will range from $3,958 to $8,121, and a large move from California to Florida will cost from $7,156 to $11,624.
How much are moving containers like PODS from California to Florida?
Moving containers from California to Florida will cost you $1,377 to $3,534 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,493 to $4,948. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $3,202 to $6,954. Learn more about PODS cost.
Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of California.
How much is a moving truck from California to Florida?
A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around
$1,544 to $2,817.
A two to three-bedroom move will cost
$1,575 to $3,631,
and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from California to Florida costs from
$2,154 to $4,159.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.
Is moving from California to Florida a good idea?
If you’re moving to Florida from California, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: California vs. Florida
| California | Florida | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,856 | $1,444 |
| Average home cost | $771,057 | $392,176 |
| Average income (per capita) | $91,905 | $67,917 |
| Cost of Living Index | 134 | 102 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 2.9% |
| Average Sales Tax | 8.68% | 7.08% |
| State Income Tax | 13.3% | 0.0% |
- Rent is about 22% less expensive in Florida than in California.
- Home prices are about 49% lower in Florida than in California.
- The average income is about 26% lower in Florida than in California.
- Cost of living is 24% lower in Florida than in California.
- Florida has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 46%.
- Sales taxes are 18% lower in Florida than in California.
- Income taxes are 100% lower in Florida than in California.
How does life in Florida differ from California?
| Florida | California | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 22,610,726 | 39,029,342 |
| Political leaning | Republican 51-48 | Democratic 59-41 |
| Summer high | 91ºF | 87ºF |
| Winter low | 49ºF | 59ºF |
| Annual rain | 55" | 22" |
| Annual snow | 0" | 7" |
| Crime index | 21.39 | 28.43 |
- The population of Florida is approximately 42% lower than the population of California.
- In the last presidential election, Florida voted Republican and California voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in Florida is 91ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Florida reaches the temperature of 49ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
- You can expect about fifty-five inches of annual rainfall in Florida versus twenty-two inches of rainfall in California.
- In Florida, it snows about zero inches annually versus seven inches of snow in California.
- Florida has a lower crime rate than California with a crime index of 28.43 vs 21.39.
Comparing the pros of California vs. Florida
There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in California versus Florida side by side.
| Pros of living in California | Pros of living in Florida |
|---|---|
| Ample economic opportunity | Fantastic weather |
| Pleasant weather | Abundant water recreational activities |
| Abundant recreational options | Ample economic opportunity |
| High quality of life | World-leading entertainment |
| Fresh and healthy foods | Beautiful flora and fauna |
Comparing the cons of living in California vs. Florida
Not everything is sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving California for Florida.
| Cons of living in California | Cons of living in Florida |
|---|---|
| High cost of living | High cost of living |
| Heavy tax burdens | Poor healthcare |
| Natural disasters | Natural disasters |
| Terrible traffic | Heat and humidity |
| Strange laws | High crime rate |
What to know before your move to Florida
- Weather: Severe weather is a common occurrence in Florida, as Florida is the most hurricane-prone state in the US. June 1st and November 30 is the time when most hurricanes in Florida occur, the most severe dates lie between August - October. Be sure to check your local weather station before your move as Florida is known for its thunderstorms and high levels of precipitation. Perhaps plan for a Winter or Springtime move to ensure the safety of your belongings.
- HOA Rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator Reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
- Parking Permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
- 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 – 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 on the state regulator's official website.
- 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 so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Florida. Get started here.
- Mover's Insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. 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: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in Florida
While you’re in Florida, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- Walt Disney World
- Universal Studios Orlando
- South Beach
- Kennedy Space Center
- Key West
- SeaWorld Orlando
- Busch Gardens Tampa
- Castillo de San Marcos
- Clearwater Beach
- Everglades National Park
- Amelia Island
- Daytona 500 International Speedway
- Duval Street in Key West
- Salvador Dalí Museum
- Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
- National Naval Aviation Museum
- Discovery Cove
- Coral Castle
- Big Cypress National Preserve
- WonderWorks Orlando
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from California to Florida?
The cheapest way to move from California to Florida is with a DIY move. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.
What are the benefits of moving from California to Florida?
The main reasons people are moving from California to Florida are the amazing upsides of living in Florida such as fantastic weather and abundant water recreational activities.
Is it cheaper to live in California or Florida?
It is generally cheaper to live in Florida than in California. Housing is much more affordable in Florida, with average rent about 22% less and home prices 49.1% lower than in California. Florida has no income tax.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Florida?
You should make approximately $53,062 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Arizona. The cost of living in Arizona is approximately $2,059 per month for an individual and $5,358 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Florida you live For example, larger cities like Jacksonville and Miami will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
