Movers

Arizona to Florida Moving Guide

Updated June 15, 2025

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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

ConsArizona iconArizona
  • Desert climate
  • Limited rainfall
  • High cost of water
  • Dry landscapes
  • Scattered metro areas
ProsFlorida iconFlorida
  • Tropical weather
  • Abundant water bodies
  • Lower cost of living
  • Rich biodiversity
  • Vibrant cities

Florida iconFlorida
  • High humidity
  • Hurricane risks
  • Frequent rain
  • Dense population
  • Prone to flooding
Arizona iconArizona
  • 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

ComparisonArizonaFlorida
Most iconic local food itemChimichangaKey Lime Pie
Most popular meat dishCarne AsadaCuban Sandwich
Most popular street food itemTacosEmpanadas
Most popular vegan foodJackfruit TacosBlack Bean Burgers
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Pizzeria Bianco
  • El Charro CafΓ©
  • Durant’s
  • Joe’s Stone Crab
  • Versailles Restaurant
  • Bern’s Steak House
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 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 Durant’s. 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, Versailles Restaurant, and Bern’s 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

ComparisonArizonaFlorida
Typical Architecture StyleSouthwesternSpanish/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, mountain viewsBeach 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 Arizona’s $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

ComparisonArizonaFlorida
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 DisastersWildfires, DroughtsHurricanes, Flooding
Air QualityVaries by area, generally moderateVaries by area, generally moderate to poor
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)104Β°F / 75Β°F91Β°F / 75Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)67Β°F / 46Β°F75Β°F / 54Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)1354
Annual Snowfall (Inches)00
  • 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

ComparisonArizonaFlorida
Avg. Household Income$74,568$69,303
Cost of Living Index101.297.8
State Income Tax2.59% - 4.50%No state income tax
Avg. Property Tax0.62%0.83%
Avg. Sales Tax5.6% - 11.2%6.0% - 8.5%
Top 3 IndustriesHealthcare, Retail, TourismTourism, Agriculture, Aerospace
AffluenceModerateMixed
PovertyAbove AverageAverage
HomelessnessModerateHigh
  • 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

ComparisonArizonaFlorida
Political Make-upMixed; leans RepublicanMixed; leans Republican
Local PoliticsConservative in rural, liberal in urban areasDiverse; varies from conservative in the north to more liberal in urban areas
ReligionChristianity predominant, with a mix of other faithsHighly 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

ComparisonArizonaFlorida
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 SchoolsKnox 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 SchoolsBasis 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 SchoolsBasis 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 schoolsBrophy 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 schoolsRancho 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 DistrictsScottsdale 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 - $9,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 3-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Veteran Moving Group
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,435300 ft3$8.12
1 Bedroom$3,630450 ft3$8.07
2 Bedrooms$6,012750 ft3$8.02
3 Bedrooms$8,7631100 ft3$7.97
4 Bedrooms$12,6671600 ft3$7.92
5+ Bedrooms$14,1601800 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.

TOP PICK
Sterling Interstate LLC featured image

Sterling Interstate LLC

Best moving company overall for Arizona to Florida

9.76/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Sebastian Moving and More featured image

Sebastian Moving and More

9.72/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Easy Florida Moving LLC featured image

Easy Florida Moving LLC

9.56/10
ExceptionalView details