Key factors that influence moving costs from Long Beach to Tampatoggle

The cost of Long Beach movers will depend on:

  • Amount of belongings: Moving costs go up with more stuff. A move from Long Beach to Tampa might cost just $1,494 for a one-bedroom, but up to $13,835 for a four-bedroom.
  • When you move: Summer is peak moving season in Long Beach, which means movers charge more during those months.
  • DIY or hire help: You can save by going the DIY route. Rental trucks cost between $1,722 and $4,397, though you\โ€™ll be doing the hard work vs letting the pros handle it.

What to know before moving from Long Beach to Tampa

Moving from Long Beach to Tampa comes with exciting new opportunities โ€” but also higher living costs. Since Tampa is generally more expensive than Long Beach, itโ€™s 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:

Long Beach Tampa
Average rent cost $2,075 $1,930
Average home value $835,800 $371,271
Average income (per capita) $78,995 $66,802
Cost of living (single person) $2,681 $3,232
Cost of living (family of 4) $6,051 $8,108
Unemployment rate 5.2% 5.0%
Sales tax 10.25% 6.5%
State income tax 13.3% 0.0%
  • Rent prices in Tampa are 7% lower than in Long Beach, which means youโ€™ll have more money in your pocket each month.
  • In terms of homeownership, youโ€™ll be able to get more for your money in Tampa.
    Home prices in Tampa are 55.6% lower than in Long Beach.
  • Income in Tampa is 15.4% lower than in Long Beach, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Tampa include Bloomin' Brands, Sykes Enterprises, and OSI Restaurant Partners.
  • Be sure to budget for higher bills in Tampa, since the cost of living for a single person in Tampa is 20.6% higher than in Long Beach. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
  • If youโ€™re moving your family to Tampa, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Tampa is 34.0% higher than in Long Beach.
  • The unemployment rate in Tampa is 3.85% lower than in Long Beach.
  • Youโ€™ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Tampa, since the cityโ€™s sales taxes in Tampa are 36.59% lower than in Long Beach.
  • One perk of moving to Tampa is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Long Beach.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,616.56 in Tampa to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Long Beach.

How life is different in Long Beach vs. Tampa

Tampa Long Beach
Population 403,364 451,307
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 8 8
Walkability score 51 73
Bike friendliness score 51 70
Crime Index 46.15 58.58
Safety Index 53.85 41.42
Air Quality Good Good
  • Tampa might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 11% less than Long Beach.
  • Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Tampa will be about the same as it currently is in Long Beach. The cities share a similar public transportation score, which means their transit systems are comparable in terms of how connected they are, how often they provide service, and how close they are to jobs, housing, retail and food stores, and other important locations.
  • Tampa neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Long Beach. Based on its score of 51 out of 100, Tampa isnโ€™t as walkable as Long Beach, which has a score of 73 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
  • You probably wonโ€™t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Tampa, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Long Beach. While Long Beach has a bike-friendliness score of 70 out of 100, Tampa earned a 51. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
  • Tampa has a lower crime rate than Long Beach based on scores of 46.15 and Long Beach's 58.58, 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 Tampa than in Long Beach, based on Tampaโ€™s safety index of 53.85 versus 41.42 for Long Beach. 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 Tampa and Long Beach 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 Long Beach vs. Tampa move

  • Weather: Tampa's climate generally features hot and humid summers with frequent thunderstorms and dry and mild winters. Tampa seldom feels major effects from tropical storms or hurricanes.
  • 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 Tampa. 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 Tampa

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Big Guava", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Tampa.

Best neighborhoods for singles

  • Channel District
  • Courier City-Oscawana
  • Downtown
  • Historic Ybor
  • North Hyde Park

Best neighborhoods for families

  • Bayshore Beautiful
  • Bayshore Gardens
  • Beach Park
  • Oakford Park
  • Sunset Park

Things to do in Tampa

Once youโ€™re settled into your new home in Florida, itโ€™s time to get out and discover what Tampa has to offer. No matter your interests, thereโ€™s something for everyone here:

  • Arts and culture: Tampa features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including the Glazer Children's Museum, Henry B. Plant Museum, Tampa Bay History Center, Museum of Science and Industry, and SS American Victory Mariners' Memorial and Museum Ship.
  • Outdoor recreation: The cityโ€™s Lettuce Lake Regional Park, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, Sparkman Wharf, and Ballast Point Park 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 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL), Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL), Tampa Bay Rays (MLB), or Tampa Bay Vipers (XFL) game.

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Long Beach to Tampa?

If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Long Beach to Tampa. Youโ€™ll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in Long Beach.

When is the cheapest time to move from Long Beach to Tampa?

Because spring and fall moves from Long Beach to Tampa 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 Long Beach to Tampa take?

Covering 2,533 miles, the move from Long Beach, CA to Tampa, FL typically takes seven to 21 days. Some Long Beach movers may offer faster options, and if your timing is flexible, storage services inTampa can help bridge the gap.

Helpful moving resources