($1,407) Movers From Cleveland, OH to Tampa, FL

What to know before moving from Cleveland to Tampa

Moving from Cleveland to Tampa comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Tampa is generally more expensive than Cleveland, it’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:

• Rent prices in Tampa are 49% higher than in Cleveland, 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 Cleveland.
  Home prices in Tampa are 242.2% higher than in Cleveland.
• Income in Tampa is 2.8% higher than in Cleveland, so you could earn more 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 29.8% higher than in Cleveland. 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 20.5% higher than in Cleveland.
• The unemployment rate in Tampa is 26.47% lower than in Cleveland.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Tampa, since the city’s sales taxes in Tampa are 18.75% lower than in Cleveland.
• One perk of moving to Tampa is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Cleveland.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,893.98 in Tampa to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Cleveland.

How life is different in Cleveland vs. Tampa

• The population of Tampa is about 8% greater than Cleveland, 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.
• Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Tampa will be about the same as it currently is in Cleveland. 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 Cleveland. Based on its score of 51 out of 100, Tampa isn’t as walkable as Cleveland, which has a score of 57 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.
• Tampa and Cleveland 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 Cleveland based on scores of 46.15 and Cleveland's 63.41, 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 Cleveland, based on Tampa’s safety index of 53.85 versus 36.59 for Cleveland. 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 Cleveland. Tampa has Good air quality, compared to moderate in Cleveland. 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 Cleveland 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: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you're familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
• Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
• Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulations—some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
• 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. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: You can verify a Florida moving company\’s license by visiting the state'spublic utilities commission
• Moving permits: You won’t need a moving permit in Florida, though it\’s smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
• Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly toTampa Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations.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: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

Where to live in Tampa

Now that you’ve chosen "Big Guava" as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Tampa to check out.

Helpful moving resources