($1,519) Movers From Nashville, TN to Tampa, FL

What to know before moving from Nashville to Tampa

Moving from Nashville to Tampa comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Tampa is generally more expensive than Nashville, 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 2% lower than in Nashville, 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 13.4% lower than in Nashville.
• Income in Tampa is 15.5% lower than in Nashville, 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 4.0% higher than in Nashville. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Tampa is 4.0% lower than in Nashville.
• The unemployment rate in Tampa is 11.11% higher than in Nashville.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Tampa, since the city’s sales taxes in Tampa are 33.33% lower than in Nashville.
• State income taxes are the same in Tampa and Nashville.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,119.69 in Tampa to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Nashville.

How life is different in Nashville vs. Tampa

• Tampa might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 41% less than Nashville.
• Tampa offers better access to buses and trains than Nashville, based on public transportation ratings. Tampa has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 4 in Nashville. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Tampa neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Nashville. Based on its score of 51 out of 100, Tampa isn’t as walkable as Nashville, which has a score of 96 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 Nashville. While Nashville has a bike-friendliness score of 72 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.
• You can anticipate the same crime rate in Tampa as Nashville. With the crime index, lower scores are better because they indicate less crime. Cities with scores of 20 or below, for example, have much fewer instances of crime than those with scores of 80–100.
• Tampa is generally as safe as Nashville, according to their similar safety index ratings. The ratings are based on how comfortable residents feel about walking alone during the daytime and nighttime and the number of small crimes like theft and muggings.
• The air quality in Tampa and Nashville 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 Nashville 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: It’s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it’s a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
• Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
• 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. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in Florida, visit the state's public utilities commission
• Moving permits: While Florida doesn’t mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Tampa without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. 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 gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Where to live in Tampa

With your sights set on "Big Guava", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Tampa.

Helpful moving resources