Moving to Florida? 2023 Living Costs & Relocation Tips

Florida is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. Widely known as the “Sunshine State”, it comes as no surprise that Florida is most famous for its warm weather, beautiful scenery and glistening beaches.

If you are considering moving to Florida, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved.

Quick Florida Facts:

Population: 21.78 million (2021)
Official Language: English
GDP Per Capita: $63,081 (2022)
Random Fact: Florida is the only US state that borders both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean
Currency: US Dollar (US$). As of early 2023, £1 = $1.20, €1 = $1.07, $1 CAD = $0.74, $1 AUD = $0.68

Sections

1. Moving and Shipping Costs to Florida

Below are sample costs of moving the contents of a 3 bed house to Florida from other US states: (Note these are sample prices only, use the form at the top of the page to get more accurate quotes)

The low-end price assumes you doing all the packing and driving a rental truck yourself. The high-end price assumes using professional movers and packers. Destination and time of year will also affect the price you pay.

California: $2,400 – $9,400
Texas: $1,200 – $8,050
New York: $1,250 – $7,500
Pennsylvania: $1,200 – $7,250
Illinois: $1,300 – $7,500
Ohio: $1,000 – $7,600
Georgia: $350 – $5,300
North Carolina: $1,000 – $6,300
Michigan: $1,300 – $ 8,050
Alabama: $700 – $6,600

Also see Florida moving companies here.

2. Florida Housing Costs

Florida’s housing prices vary greatly depending on the location, with areas such as Miami and Key West being some of the most expensive places to live, while more rural areas tend to be more affordable.

Monthly Rental Prices in Florida:

1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: $1,500+
1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: $1,130+
3 bedroom flat in City Centre: $2,725+
3 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: $1,880+

Florida Home Purchase Prices:

Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: $2,750+
Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside City: $1,720+

Florida Housing Cost Comparison:

This is how rents in Florida compare with other cities around the globe.

London is 40.4% more expensive
New York is 59% more expensive
Los Angeles is 43.3% more expensive
Toronto is 16.8% more expensive
Sydney is 27.9% more expensive
Paris is 5.9% more expensive
Dubai is 15.7% more expensive

Source: Numbeo

How to Save on Housing Costs:

Share a Flat or House: Sharing a house or a flat is a way to save on living expenses. You may have to share a bathroom but you will save at the end of the day. A cheaper option is to share a room. Have a look at the following site to find your perfect room or flatmate: Spare Room.
Different Areas – Different Prices: Florida is a large state with a diverse range of urban, suburban, and rural areas, which makes it difficult to generalize housing prices. For example, Miami and Key West are known to be among the most expensive places to live in the state, with median home prices ranging from $500,000 to over $1 million. On the other hand, rural areas such as Hendry County or Gilchrist County can offer more affordable housing options with median home prices under $200,000. Overall, Florida’s housing market is influenced by a number of factors, including location, local economic conditions, and demand.

3. Florida Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs

Florida’s cuisine is heavily influenced by its Latin American and Caribbean roots, with dishes like Cuban sandwiches, key lime pie, and conch fritters being some of the most famous. The state is also known for its citrus fruits, such as oranges and grapefruits, which are often used in local dishes and drinks.

Inexpensive Restaurant: $13.75
Takeout Coffee: $4.50
Bottle of Coke: $1.90
1L of Milk: $1.25
Loaf of Bread: $3.99
12 Eggs: $3.00
1kg Chicken: $11.80
1kg Beef: $18.20
1kg Apples: $6.30
1kg White Rice: $3.80

This is how restaurants and food prices compare with other major cities in the world.

London restaurants are 27% more expensive and groceries are 32% cheaper than Florida.
New York restaurants are 37.5% more expensive and groceries are 23.6% more expensive than Florida.
Los Angeles restaurants are 33.4% more expensive and groceries are 3% more expensive than Florida.
Toronto restaurants are 17.3% more expensive and groceries are 10.7% cheaper than Florida.
Sydney restaurants are 16.6% more expensive and groceries are 3.1% more expensive than Florida.
Paris restaurants are 12.4% more expensive and groceries are 1.5% more expensive than Florida.
Dubai restaurants are 12.7% more expensive and groceries are 55.4% cheaper than Florida.

Source: Numbeo

Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries:

Know Your Supermarkets: Florida has a variety of farmers’ markets, offering locally sourced fruits, vegetables, and artisanal products. Popular markets include the Miami Farmers’ Market, the Winter Park Farmers’ Market, and the St. Petersburg Saturday Morning Market. As for supermarkets, Florida has a range of options from affordable chains such as Walmart and Aldi to higher-end stores like Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s.
Find Cheap Eats: Florida has a good selection of restaurants which offer food at affordable prices. Have a look at Trip Advisor and Time Out.

4. Florida Alcohol Costs

Florida, like all cities in the United States, has plenty of bars and clubs to choose from, whether you want a quick beer after work or a cocktail before dinner.

Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: $5.25
Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: $7.25
Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a supermarket: $2.80
Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: $4.00
Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: $18.90

How To Drink For Less in Florida:

Keep an eye on the local papers and websites for specials over weekends and public holidays.
Take a look at 10 Best and Eater.

5. Florida Transportation Fares

Florida’s public transport options vary depending on the city or region. Cities like Miami and Orlando have extensive public transport systems, including buses and trains, while more rural areas may have limited or no public transportation. Many tourists in Florida also rely on ride-sharing services and rental cars.

Here are some sample ticket costs:

Adult single – $1.25
One-day ticket – $5.00
Monthly season ticket, unlimited – $20.00

How To Save Money on Public Transport:

Buy a bike. Depending on where you live and work, cycling around the city is certainly a viable option.
Walk. If you live relatively close to where you work, you can walk to work.

6. Cost of Internet in Florida

Internet prices in the States are expensive compared with many other countries in the world. Here are some sample broadband internet prices from early 2023 for unlimited downloads, based on a 12-month contract:

Sprint: $50 a month (Unlimited high speed except for streaming gaming up to 8mb)
AT & T: $20 a month (50mb fibre)
Verizon: $80 a month

7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure

The average yearly temperature in Florida is around 25°C (77°F), with the hottest month being July and the coldest month being January. The wettest month in Florida is typically June, with an average rainfall of around 7 inches.

Here are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.

Pair of Jeans: $56.00
Summer Dress: $26.00
Running Shoes (Trainers): $90.00
Business Shoes: $122.50
Short Doctor’s Visit (15 mins): $115.00
Deodorant: $4.35
Shampoo: $5.10
Toilet Paper (4 rolls): $3.00
Gym Membership: $28.00
Movie (cinema) Ticket: $13.00

Source: Numbeo, Expatistan

7. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in Florida

Everyone in the US drives on the right. Many people use their cars for work in Florida. The rush hour is nowhere near as long as bad as other cities around the world. If you’re moving to Florida from within the US, you’ll be able to keep your license but need to update your address to your new one.

You can drive on a foreign license for up to 12 months as a tourist but after that, you will need to get an American license. If you are working or studying in the US, you can drive on your foreign license for 30 days. If you want to exchange your foreign driver’s license you have to follow the process here.

Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in Florida:

Volkswagen Golf: $26,500+
1 litre (¼ gallon) of Gas (petrol): $0.90

Source: Numbeo, Expatistan

Ways To Save Money on Driving in Florida:

Car sharing or pooling is one way to save money. Try Carpool World.
Taxis can sometimes be a cheaper option, especially if you are going to have to park all day. Try Uber or Lyft.

9. Taxes in Florida

No matter where you live in the State, you will pay federal tax. To learn more about the different taxes in the States go to Immihelp and USA taxes.

The sales tax rate in Florida varies by county and ranges from 6% to 8.5%. The average combined state and local sales tax rate is 7.05%.

Whether you own or rent your home, you will be subject to property tax based on the area in which you live and the size of the property you live in. Learn more about property tax in Fresno at Property Tax.

Finally, if you decide to buy a flat or house in Florida you’ll have to pay real estate transfer tax.

10. Flight Costs from Florida

If you do make the move to Florida, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on the lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of early 2023:

London: $275
New York: $30
Los Angeles: $80
Toronto: $100
Vancouver: $150
Dubai: $650
Sydney: $1,200
Melbourne: $625
Cape Town: $620
Hong Kong: $820

Other Tips on Moving to Florida:

The costs and pricing above should give you a good idea of the cost of living in Florida but perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.

11. Moving to Florida Alone

Moving anywhere can be a lonely experience, but moving to a new city can be especially daunting. Here are a few tips about settling in Florida.

Meetups: There are many Meetup groups to choose from. You will definitely find something to join which will help you to settle in.
Attend Local Events: Florida always has something going on. Have a look at Visit Florida and Eventbrite.

12. Moving to Florida with a Family

Florida can be a family-friendly location, with many attractions such as theme parks, beaches, and outdoor activities. However, crime rates in some cities can be higher than the national average, so it is important to research specific areas before making a decision on where to live or visit.

New Parents (or parents to be): There are free and paid antenatal classes and courses. Have a look at Cleveland Clinic.
Live in a Family-friendly Area: Florida has many family-friendly areas, including Coral Springs, Weston, and Pembroke Pines in South Florida; Winter Garden, Oviedo, and Windermere in Central Florida; and St. Johns County and Fleming Island in North Florida. These areas offer good schools, safe neighbourhoods, and a variety of family-friendly activities.
Find Things To Do With The Kids: There are many activities for families living in Florida. Have a look at the following sites to be inspired – Trip Advisor.

13. Moving to Florida for Work

While it is possible to move to Florida without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move. The main industries in Florida include tourism, agriculture, aerospace and aviation, and healthcare. As of March 2023, the unemployment rate in Florida is 4.1%.

Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:

Salary: Salaries vary enormously depending on which industry you are in. The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea of how much more you’ll want to make the move worthwhile. You can also check salary ranges on sites such as Payscale.
How To Find Work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to Fresno, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: Monster and Indeed. You may also want to Google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.

14. Moving to Florida from Australia

There’s a small group of Australians living and working in Florida, if you are thinking of joining them, here are a few things to consider.

Size Comparison: The area of Victoria and Tasmania combined in Australia is similar to that of Florida.
Join Expat Groups: Start your own Australian Meetup group.

15. Moving to Florida from Canada

There’s a small group of Canadians living in Florida. If you’re considering making the move from Canada here are a few things to consider.

Size: The area of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island combined in Canada is similar to that of Florida.
Expat Groups: Meeting up with fellow Canadians helps the moving process. Start a Canadian Meetup group.

16. Moving to Florida from the United Kingdom

There’s a small number of Brits living in Florida. If you are thinking of making the move from the UK to join them, then here are a few things to consider.

Size: Florida is roughly equivalent to the combined area of Wales and Northern Ireland in the UK.
Expat Groups: If you want to join up with fellow Brits in Florida, then start your own British Meetup group.

Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to Florida you can start by comparing moving quotes here.