($1,526) Movers From Stockton, CA to Tampa, FL

What to know before moving from Stockton to Tampa

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

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

• Rent prices in Tampa are 9% higher than in Stockton, which means you’ll have less 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 15.1% lower than in Stockton.
• Income in Tampa is 4.5% higher than in Stockton, so you could earn more 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 14.2% lower than in Stockton. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’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 19.1% higher than in Stockton.
• The unemployment rate in Tampa is 51.46% lower than in Stockton.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Tampa, since the city’s sales taxes in Tampa are 27.78% lower than in Stockton.
• One perk of moving to Tampa is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Stockton.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,573.93 in Tampa to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Stockton.

How life is different in Stockton vs. Tampa

• The population of Tampa is about 26% greater than Stockton, 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.
• Tampa offers better access to buses and trains than Stockton, based on public transportation ratings. Tampa has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 4 in Stockton. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in Tampa means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Stockton. Tampa is considered more walkable than Stockton, with a score of 51 out of 100 versus 44 out of 100 in Stockton. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• Tampa and Stockton are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 51 and 52 respectively. Bike-friendliness scores between 50 and 100 indicate varying levels of infrastructure to support cyclists, including bike lanes and roadway connectivity. Cities with scores under 50 are considered more car-dependent.
• Tampa has a lower crime rate than Stockton based on scores of 46.15 and Stockton's 75.2, 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 Stockton, based on Tampa’s safety index of 53.85 versus 24.8 for Stockton. 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 Stockton 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 Stockton 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