($1,441) Movers From Dallas, TX to Tampa, FL

What to know before moving from Dallas to Tampa

Moving from Dallas to Tampa comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Tampa is generally more expensive than Dallas, 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 9% higher than in Dallas, 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 Dallas.
  Home prices in Tampa are 22.2% higher than in Dallas.
• Income in Tampa is 2.2% lower than in Dallas, 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 14.3% higher than in Dallas. 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 4.0% higher than in Dallas.
• The unemployment rate in Tampa is 38.89% higher than in Dallas.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Tampa, since the city’s sales taxes in Tampa are 21.21% lower than in Dallas.
• State income taxes are the same in Tampa and Dallas.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,428.57 in Tampa to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Dallas.

How life is different in Dallas vs. Tampa

• Tampa might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 69% less than Dallas.
• Tampa offers better access to buses and trains than Dallas, based on public transportation ratings. Tampa has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 6 in Dallas. 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 Dallas. Tampa is considered more walkable than Dallas, with a score of 51 out of 100 versus 46 out of 100 in Dallas. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• Tampa and Dallas are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 51 and 49 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 Dallas based on scores of 46.15 and Dallas's 51.4, 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 Dallas, based on Tampa’s safety index of 53.85 versus 48.6 for Dallas. 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 Dallas 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 Dallas 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