($1,589) Movers From San Francisco, CA to Tampa, FL

What to know before moving from San Francisco to Tampa

Moving from San Francisco to Tampa means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in San Francisco than in Tampa, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how San Francisco compares to Tampa so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Tampa are 41% lower than in San Francisco, which means you’ll have more money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Tampa.
  Home prices in Tampa are 70.1% lower than in San Francisco.
• Income in Tampa is 51.1% lower than in San Francisco, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Tampa include Bloomin' Brands, Sykes Enterprises, and OSI Restaurant Partners.
• The cost of living for a single person in Tampa is 14.5% lower than in San Francisco. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Tampa is 7.0% lower than in San Francisco.
• The unemployment rate in Tampa is 7.41% lower than in San Francisco.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Tampa, since the city’s sales taxes in Tampa are 24.68% lower than in San Francisco.
• One perk of moving to Tampa is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in San Francisco.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,564.40 in Tampa to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in San Francisco.

How life is different in San Francisco vs. Tampa

• Tampa might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 50% less than San Francisco.
• Getting around Tampa without a car might be more difficult than in San Francisco. Tampa has a public transportation score of 8 out of 10, whereas San Francisco is ranked 10. Ratings are based on a city’s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
• Tampa neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as San Francisco. Based on its score of 51 out of 100, Tampa isn’t as walkable as San Francisco, which has a score of 99 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 won’t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Tampa, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than San Francisco. While San Francisco has a bike-friendliness score of 99 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 San Francisco based on scores of 46.15 and San Francisco's 61.41, 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 San Francisco, based on Tampa’s safety index of 53.85 versus 38.59 for San Francisco. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• You can breathe easy knowing that Tampa has better air quality than in San Francisco. Tampa has Good air quality, compared to moderate in San Francisco. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.

Other things to consider for your San Francisco 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 – 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.

Helpful moving resources