Arkansas to Florida Moving Guide
Updated June 23, 2025

Planning a 999 mile interstate move from Arkansas to Florida? This moving guide will help you compare living in Arkansas vs Florida across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot, humid summers vs beaches and ocean access), food & health (like Fried catfish vs Key lime pie), real estate & housing (ranch, craftsman vs spanish, mediterranean), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Florida), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Fried catfish and Smoked BBQ ribs, but get your taste buds ready for Key lime pie & Cuban sandwich
- Florida housing costs are 95% more expensive than they are in Arkansas
- Rent in Florida is 69.05% more expensive than in Arkansas
- Moving from Arkansas to Florida will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Arkansas to Florida movers is Sebastian Moving and More
Arkansas to Florida Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Arkansas to Florida
- Hot, humid summers
- Limited coastline
- Tornado risk
- Fewer large cities
- Limited tourist attractions
- Beaches and ocean access
- Vibrant nightlife
- Warm winter weather
- Theme parks and entertainment
- Year-round outdoor activities
- Higher insurance rates
- Hurricane risk
- High tourist traffic
- Higher population density
- Expensive housing
- Lower cost of living
- Friendly communities
- Easy access to nature
- Fewer crowds
- Simple lifestyle
Pros of moving from Arkansas to Florida
- Say goodbye to hot, humid summers and hello to beaches and ocean access
- Look forward to moving away from limited coastline and moving to Florida with vibrant nightlife
- Swap the tornado risk of Arkansas for warm winter weather in Florida
- Get ready for theme parks and entertainment in Florida
Cons of moving from Arkansas to Florida
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the lower cost of living in Arkansas to live with higher insurance rates in Florida
- You'll lose out on the pro of friendly communities and have to settle for the con of hurricane risk
- Time to bid farewell to easy access to nature and get used to high tourist traffic in Florida
- Swap fewer crowds for higher population density
Arkansas vs. Florida: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Arkansas | Florida |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Fried catfish | Key lime pie |
Most popular meat dish | Smoked BBQ ribs | Cuban sandwich |
Most popular street food item | Fried pickles | Empanadas |
Most popular vegan food | Black bean burger | Avocado toast |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from Arkansas to Florida, you will be trading the iconic Fried catfish of Arkansas for the equally delicious Key lime pie of Florida. And while the locals in Arkansas rave about their flavorful Smoked BBQ ribs and sumptuous Fried pickles, Florida residents know they have tasty Cuban sandwich and Empanadas to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Black bean burger they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Avocado toast of Florida. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Arkansas eateries like McClard's Bar-B-Q, Simmonsβ Barbecue, and Catfish Hole. After the boxes are unpacked in Florida, don't wait too long before making your way to Florida's acclaimed eateries like Joe's Stone Crab, Bern's Steak House, and Yellow Dog CafΓ©.
When comparing lifestyles, Florida shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Arkansas. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Florida compared to what you are used to in Arkansas. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Florida.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Arkansas and Florida
Comparison | Arkansas | Florida |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch, Craftsman | Spanish, Mediterranean |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, proximity to nature | Access to beaches, outdoor living spaces |
- The Ranch and Craftsman architecture that Arkansas is known for will be replaced with the Spanish and Mediterranean architecture typical of Florida.
- Compared to Arkansas's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and proximity to nature, Florida real estate listings often highlight features like access to beaches and outdoor living spaces.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Florida is more walkable than Arkansas.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Florida is more bike-friendly than Arkansas.
- Florida has more of an urban feel than Arkansas.
- Florida housing costs are 95% more expensive than they are in Arkansas, with a median home price of $397,137 compared to Arkansasβs $203,305.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Florida have increased by 66% compared to a 41% increase in Arkansas.
- Rent in Florida is 69.05% more expensive than in Arkansas.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Arkansas and Florida
Comparison | Arkansas | Florida |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Tornadoes, Floods | Hurricanes, Tropical Storms |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F / 70Β°F | 91Β°F / 75Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 50Β°F / 30Β°F | 70Β°F / 49Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50" | 54" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 5" | 0" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Arkansas to Florida. Florida gets 9% more sunshine days than Arkansas.
- Florida has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Arkansas.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Arkansas, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and tropical storms in Florida.
- The average summer high temperature in Florida is 1 degree warmer than in Arkansas.
- The average winter lows are 19 degrees warmer than they are in Arkansas.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Florida. Florida receives 4 more inches of rain compared to Arkansas.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Arkansas and Florida
Comparison | Arkansas | Florida |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $55,432 | $69,303 |
Cost of Living Index | 90.5 | 97.8 |
State Income Tax | 5.9% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.61% | 0.83% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 9.51% | 7.05% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Retail | Tourism, Trade, Healthcare |
Affluence | Modest | Varied |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | High |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Florida tend to earn about 25% more than those in Arkansas
- The COLI in Florida is 8% higher than what you are used to living in Arkansas
- Hooray, moving to Florida means you'll no longer have state income taxes
- The affluence in Florida is varied compared to modest affluence in Arkansas
- The poverty level is moderate in Florida compared to moderate poverty in Arkansas
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Arkansas and high in Florida
Political and Religious Climate in Arkansas vs. Florida
Comparison | Arkansas | Florida |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Predominantly conservative | Mixed, with a slight leaning towards conservative in recent elections |
Local Politics | Local governments often reflect the state's overall conservative stance | Vary significantly between urban and rural areas, from liberal to conservative |
Religion | Highly religious, with a strong evangelical Christian majority | Diverse, with a significant Catholic population alongside Protestants and increasing numbers of non-affiliated individuals |
- Arkansas tends to lean predominantly conservative in its political climate
- Florida, on the other hand, is often described as mixed with a slight leaning towards conservative in recent elections
- Florida's religious environment can be described as diverse with a significant Catholic population alongside Protestants and increasing numbers of non-affiliated individuals
- Arkansas' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as highly religious with a strong evangelical Christian majority
Education Guide When Moving from Arkansas to Florida
Comparison | Arkansas | Florida |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Arkansas Arkansas State University University of Central Arkansas | University of Florida Florida State University University of Central Florida |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Baker Elementary - Little Rock Forest Park Elementary - Little Rock Vandergriff Elementary - Fayetteville | Pine View School - Osprey Doral Academy of Technology - Doral Somerset Academy Miramar |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Lisa Academy North - Sherwood McNair Middle School - Fayetteville Fulbright Junior High - Bentonville | Bak Middle School of the Arts - West Palm Beach Archimedean Middle Conservatory - Miami Doral Academy Charter Middle School - Doral |
Top 3 High Schools | Haas Hall Academy - Fayetteville Bentonville High School - Bentonville Central High School - Little Rock | Design and Architecture Senior High - Miami Pine View School - Osprey School for Advanced Studies - Miami |
Top 3 private high schools | Pulaski Academy - Little Rock Shiloh Christian School - Springdale Episcopal Collegiate School - Little Rock | Bolles School - Jacksonville American Heritage School - Plantation Pine Crest School - Fort Lauderdale |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Little Rock Christian Academy - Little Rock Subiaco Academy - Subiaco Harding Academy - Searcy | Pine Crest School - Fort Lauderdale American Heritage School - Plantation North Broward Preparatory School - Coconut Creek |
Top 3 School Districts | Bentonville School District Fayetteville Public Schools Rogers Public Schools | St. Johns County School District Sarasota County Schools Okaloosa County School District |
How Much Do Arkansas to Florida Movers Cost?
Moving 999 miles from Arkansas to Florida will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 3-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Veteran Moving Group
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,769 | 300 ft3 | $5.90 |
1 Bedroom | $2,631 | 450 ft3 | $5.85 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,347 | 750 ft3 | $5.80 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,321 | 1100 ft3 | $5.75 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,114 | 1600 ft3 | $5.70 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,163 | 1800 ft3 | $5.65 |
Top Arkansas to Florida Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Arkansas to Florida movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sebastian Moving and More
Best moving company overall for Arkansas to Florida