Arizona to Florida Moving Guide
Updated June 15, 2025

Planning a 2,174 mile interstate move from Arizona to Florida? This moving guide will help you compare living in Arizona vs Florida across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like desert climate vs tropical weather), food & health (like Chimichanga vs Key Lime Pie), real estate & housing (southwestern vs spanish/mediterranean), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Florida), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Chimichanga and Carne Asada, but get your taste buds ready for Key Lime Pie & Cuban Sandwich
- Florida housing costs are 8% less expensive than they are in Arizona
- Rent in Florida is 16.26% more expensive than in Arizona
- Moving from Arizona to Florida will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,000
- Our top recommended Arizona to Florida movers is Sterling Interstate LLC
Arizona to Florida Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Arizona to Florida
- Desert climate
- Limited rainfall
- High cost of water
- Dry landscapes
- Scattered metro areas
- Tropical weather
- Abundant water bodies
- Lower cost of living
- Rich biodiversity
- Vibrant cities
- High humidity
- Hurricane risks
- Frequent rain
- Dense population
- Prone to flooding
- Low humidity
- Stunning sunsets
- Desert beauty
- Less traffic congestion
- Fewer natural disasters
Pros of moving from Arizona to Florida
- Say goodbye to desert climate and hello to tropical weather
- Look forward to moving away from limited rainfall and moving to Florida with abundant water bodies
- Swap the high cost of water in Arizona for the lower cost of living in Florida
- Get ready for rich biodiversity in Florida
Cons of moving from Arizona to Florida
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from low humidity in Arizona to live with high humidity in Florida
- You'll lose out on the pro of stunning sunsets and have to settle for the con of hurricane risks
- Time to bid farewell to desert beauty and get used to frequent rain in Florida
- Swap less traffic congestion for a dense population
Arizona vs. Florida: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Arizona | Florida |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Chimichanga | Key Lime Pie |
Most popular meat dish | Carne Asada | Cuban Sandwich |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | Empanadas |
Most popular vegan food | Jackfruit Tacos | Black Bean Burgers |
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 Arizona to Florida, you will be trading the iconic Chimichanga of Arizona for the equally delicious Key Lime Pie of Florida. And while the locals in Arizona rave about their flavorful Carne Asada and sumptuous Tacos, Florida residents know they have tasty Cuban Sandwich and Empanadas to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Jackfruit Tacos they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Black Bean Burgers of Florida. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Arizona eateries like Pizzeria Bianco, El Charro CafΓ©, and Durantβs. After the boxes are unpacked in Florida, don't wait too long before making your way to Florida's acclaimed eateries like Joeβs Stone Crab, Versailles Restaurant, and Bernβs Steak House.
When comparing lifestyles, Florida shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Arizona. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Florida compared to what you are used to in Arizona. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Florida.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Arizona and Florida
Comparison | Arizona | Florida |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Southwestern | Spanish/Mediterranean |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, mountain views | Beach access, pools |
- The Southwestern architecture that Arizona is known for will be replaced with the Spanish/Mediterranean architecture typical of Florida.
- Compared to Arizona's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and mountain views, Florida real estate listings often highlight features like beach access and pools.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Florida is more walkable than Arizona.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Florida is more bike-friendly than Arizona.
- Florida has more of an urban feel than Arizona.
- Florida housing costs are 8% less expensive than they are in Arizona, with a median home price of $397,137 compared to Arizonaβs $430,827.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Florida have increased by 66% compared to a 63% increase in Arizona.
- Rent in Florida is 16.26% more expensive than in Arizona.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Arizona and Florida
Comparison | Arizona | 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 | Wildfires, Droughts | Hurricanes, Flooding |
Air Quality | Varies by area, generally moderate | Varies by area, generally moderate to poor |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 104Β°F / 75Β°F | 91Β°F / 75Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 67Β°F / 46Β°F | 75Β°F / 54Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 13 | 54 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0 | 0 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Arizona to Florida. Florida gets 17% fewer sunshine days than Arizona.
- Florida has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Arizona.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and droughts in Arizona, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and flooding in Florida.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Florida is 13 degrees colder than in Arizona.
- The average winter lows are 8 degrees warmer than they are in Arizona.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Florida. Florida receives 41 more inches of rain compared to Arizona.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Arizona and Florida
Comparison | Arizona | Florida |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $74,568 | $69,303 |
Cost of Living Index | 101.2 | 97.8 |
State Income Tax | 2.59% - 4.50% | No state income tax |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.62% | 0.83% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.6% - 11.2% | 6.0% - 8.5% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Retail, Tourism | Tourism, Agriculture, Aerospace |
Affluence | Moderate | Mixed |
Poverty | Above Average | Average |
Homelessness | Moderate | High |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Florida tend to earn about 7% less than in Arizona
- The COLI in Florida will be 3% lower than what you are used to living in Arizona
- The state income tax in FL is no state income tax compared to 2.59% to 4.50% in AZ
- The affluence in Florida is mixed compared to moderate in Arizona
- The poverty level is average in Florida compared to above average in Arizona
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Arizona and high in Florida
Political and Religious Climate in Arizona vs. Florida
Comparison | Arizona | Florida |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed; leans Republican | Mixed; leans Republican |
Local Politics | Conservative in rural, liberal in urban areas | Diverse; varies from conservative in the north to more liberal in urban areas |
Religion | Christianity predominant, with a mix of other faiths | Highly diverse, Christianity predominant but a significant mix of other faiths |
- Arizona tends to lean mixed and leans Republican in its political climate
- Florida, on the other hand, is often described as mixed and leans Republican
- Florida's religious environment can be described as highly diverse, with Christianity predominant but a significant mix of other faiths
- Arizona's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity, with a mix of other faiths
Education Guide When Moving from Arizona to Florida
Comparison | Arizona | Florida |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Arizona Arizona State University Northern Arizona University | University of Florida Florida State University University of Central Florida |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Knox Gifted Academy - Chandler Basis Scottsdale Primary - Scottsdale Archway Classical Academy - Phoenix | Doral Academy of Technology - Doral Pine View School - Osprey Somerset Academy Miramar - Miramar |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Basis Scottsdale - Scottsdale Basis Chandler - Chandler Basis Oro Valley - Oro Valley | Bak Middle School of the Arts - West Palm Beach Archimedean Middle Conservatory - Miami Pine View School - Osprey |
Top 3 High Schools | Basis Scottsdale - Scottsdale Basis Peoria - Peoria Basis Chandler - Chandler | Pine View School - Osprey Design and Architecture Senior High - Miami Stanton College Preparatory - Jacksonville |
Top 3 private high schools | Brophy College Preparatory - Phoenix The Gregory School - Tucson Phoenix Country Day School - Paradise Valley | Ransom Everglades School - Coconut Grove The Bolles School - Jacksonville American Heritage School - Plantation |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Rancho Solano Preparatory School - Scottsdale Phoenix Country Day School - Paradise Valley The Gregory School - Tucson | Pine View School - Osprey Ransom Everglades School - Coconut Grove American Heritage School - Plantation |
Top 3 School Districts | Scottsdale Unified School District Chandler Unified School District Gilbert Public Schools | Sarasota County Schools St. Johns County School District Miami-Dade County Public Schools |
How Much Do Arizona to Florida Movers Cost?
Moving 2,174 miles from Arizona to Florida will typically cost between $3,500 and $9,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,500 - $9,000
- 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 | $2,435 | 300 ft3 | $8.12 |
1 Bedroom | $3,630 | 450 ft3 | $8.07 |
2 Bedrooms | $6,012 | 750 ft3 | $8.02 |
3 Bedrooms | $8,763 | 1100 ft3 | $7.97 |
4 Bedrooms | $12,667 | 1600 ft3 | $7.92 |
5+ Bedrooms | $14,160 | 1800 ft3 | $7.87 |
Top Arizona to Florida Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Arizona to Florida movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sterling Interstate LLC
Best moving company overall for Arizona to Florida