($1,531) Movers From Charleston, WV to Tampa, FL

What to know before moving from Charleston to Tampa

Moving from Charleston to Tampa comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Tampa is generally more expensive than Charleston, 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 121% higher than in Charleston, 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 Charleston.
  Home prices in Tampa are 141.6% higher than in Charleston.
• Income in Tampa is 12.5% higher than in Charleston, 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 108.7% higher than in Charleston. 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 109.9% higher than in Charleston.
• The unemployment rate in Tampa is 19.35% lower than in Charleston.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Tampa, since the city’s sales taxes in Tampa are 7.14% lower than in Charleston.
• One perk of moving to Tampa is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Charleston.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $6,259.52 in Tampa to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Charleston.

How life is different in Charleston vs. Tampa

• The population of Tampa is about 740% greater than Charleston, 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 Charleston, based on public transportation ratings. Tampa has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 2 in Charleston. 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 Charleston. Tampa is considered more walkable than Charleston, with a score of 51 out of 100 versus 33 out of 100 in Charleston. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, Tampa is considered more bike-friendly than Charleston in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Tampa has a bike-friendliness score of 51 out of 100, while Charleston is rated as 28 out of 100.
• Tampa has a lower crime rate than Charleston based on scores of 46.15 and Charleston's 53.94, 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 Charleston, based on Tampa’s safety index of 53.85 versus 46.06 for Charleston. 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 Charleston 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 Charleston 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