($1,535) Movers From Grand Rapids, MI to Tallahassee, FL

What to know before moving from Grand Rapids to Tallahassee

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

Check out how Grand Rapids compares to Tallahassee so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Tallahassee are 15% lower than in Grand Rapids, 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 Tallahassee.
  Home prices in Tallahassee are 13.6% lower than in Grand Rapids.
• Income in Tallahassee is 22.5% lower than in Grand Rapids, 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.
• The cost of living for a single person in Tallahassee is 62.1% lower than in Grand Rapids. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Tallahassee is 35.3% lower than in Grand Rapids.
• The unemployment rate in Tallahassee is 18.60% higher than in Grand Rapids.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Tallahassee, since the city’s sales taxes in Tallahassee are 25.00% higher than in Grand Rapids.
• One perk of moving to Tallahassee is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Grand Rapids.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,135.76 in Tallahassee to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Grand Rapids.

How life is different in Grand Rapids vs. Tallahassee

• Tallahassee and Grand Rapids have roughly the same population, which could make adjusting to your new life in Florida easier.
• Getting around Tallahassee without a car might be more difficult than in Grand Rapids. Tallahassee has a public transportation score of 5 out of 10, whereas Grand Rapids is ranked 6. Ratings are based on a city’s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
• Tallahassee neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Grand Rapids. Based on its score of 30 out of 100, Tallahassee isn’t as walkable as Grand Rapids, which has a score of 56 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 Tallahassee, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Grand Rapids. While Grand Rapids has a bike-friendliness score of 52 out of 100, Tallahassee earned a 45. 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.
• The crime rate in Tallahassee is higher than in Grand Rapids, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 58.35 in Tallahassee, it is 44.23 in Grand Rapids. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You may want to exercise more caution as you’re getting used to your new surroundings in Tallahassee. With a crime index of 41.65, Tallahassee ranks lower in overall safety than Grand Rapids, whose index is Grand Rapids's 55.77. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
• The air quality in Tallahassee and Grand Rapids 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 Grand Rapids vs. Tallahassee move

• Weather: Tallahassee has long summers and short, mild winters, as well as drier springs and autumns.
• HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
• Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
• 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.Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
• State regulator: You can check the status of a Florida moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Florida doesn\’t require moving permits, but it\’s still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
• Change of address: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You’ll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to Tallahassee. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry.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: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.

Where to live in Tallahassee

Ready to relocate to "Tally"? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Tallahassee.

Helpful moving resources