Movers

Arkansas to Florida Moving Guide

Updated June 23, 2025

Hero background image

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

ConsArkansas iconArkansas
  • Hot, humid summers
  • Limited coastline
  • Tornado risk
  • Fewer large cities
  • Limited tourist attractions
ProsFlorida iconFlorida
  • Beaches and ocean access
  • Vibrant nightlife
  • Warm winter weather
  • Theme parks and entertainment
  • Year-round outdoor activities

Florida iconFlorida
  • Higher insurance rates
  • Hurricane risk
  • High tourist traffic
  • Higher population density
  • Expensive housing
Arkansas iconArkansas
  • 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

ComparisonArkansasFlorida
Most iconic local food itemFried catfishKey lime pie
Most popular meat dishSmoked BBQ ribsCuban sandwich
Most popular street food itemFried picklesEmpanadas
Most popular vegan foodBlack bean burgerAvocado toast
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • McClard's Bar-B-Q
  • Simmons’ Barbecue
  • Catfish Hole
  • Joe's Stone Crab
  • Bern's Steak House
  • Yellow Dog CafΓ©
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

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, Simmons’ 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

ComparisonArkansasFlorida
Typical Architecture StyleRanch, CraftsmanSpanish, Mediterranean
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingSpacious yards, proximity to natureAccess 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 Arkansas’s $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

ComparisonArkansasFlorida
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersTornadoes, FloodsHurricanes, Tropical Storms
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)90Β°F / 70Β°F91Β°F / 75Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)50Β°F / 30Β°F70Β°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

ComparisonArkansasFlorida
Avg. Household Income$55,432$69,303
Cost of Living Index90.597.8
State Income Tax5.9%0%
Avg. Property Tax0.61%0.83%
Avg. Sales Tax9.51%7.05%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Manufacturing, RetailTourism, Trade, Healthcare
AffluenceModestVaried
PovertyModerateModerate
HomelessnessLowHigh
  • 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

ComparisonArkansasFlorida
Political Make-upPredominantly conservativeMixed, with a slight leaning towards conservative in recent elections
Local PoliticsLocal governments often reflect the state's overall conservative stanceVary significantly between urban and rural areas, from liberal to conservative
ReligionHighly religious, with a strong evangelical Christian majorityDiverse, 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

ComparisonArkansasFlorida
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 SchoolsBaker 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 SchoolsLisa 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 SchoolsHaas 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 schoolsPulaski 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 schoolsLittle 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 DistrictsBentonville 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 - $6,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 3-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Veteran Moving Group
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,769300 ft3$5.90
1 Bedroom$2,631450 ft3$5.85
2 Bedrooms$4,347750 ft3$5.80
3 Bedrooms$6,3211100 ft3$5.75
4 Bedrooms$9,1141600 ft3$5.70
5+ Bedrooms$10,1631800 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.

TOP PICK
Sebastian Moving and More featured image

Sebastian Moving and More

Best moving company overall for Arkansas to Florida

9.72/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Easy Florida Moving LLC featured image

Easy Florida Moving LLC

9.56/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
B2 Moving featured image

B2 Moving

9.44/10
ExceptionalView details