Movers

Florida to Arizona Moving Guide

Updated June 17, 2025

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Planning a 2,174 mile interstate move from Florida to Arizona? This moving guide will help you compare living in Florida vs Arizona across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high humidity vs dry heat), food & health (like Key Lime Pie vs Sonoran Hot Dog), real estate & housing (spanish, mediterranean vs pueblo, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Florida), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Key Lime Pie and Cuban Sandwich, but get your taste buds ready for Sonoran Hot Dog & Carne Asada
  • Arizona housing costs are 8% more expensive than they are in Florida
  • Rent in Arizona is 13.98% more affordable than in Florida
  • Moving from Florida to Arizona will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,000
  • Our top recommended Florida to Arizona movers is Sterling Interstate LLC

Florida to Arizona Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Florida to Arizona

ConsFlorida iconFlorida
  • High humidity
  • Tropical storms
  • Coastal erosion
  • Tourist-heavy
ProsArizona iconArizona
  • Dry heat
  • Fewer storms
  • Desert landscapes
  • Less crowded cities

Arizona iconArizona
  • No beaches
  • Limited water activities
  • State income tax
  • Quieter nightlife
Florida iconFlorida
  • Beach access
  • Water sports
  • No state income tax
  • Vibrant nightlife

Pros of moving from Florida to Arizona

  • Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to dry heat
  • Look forward to moving away from tropical storms and moving to Arizona with fewer storms
  • Swap the coastal erosion of Florida for desert landscapes in Arizona
  • Get ready for less crowded cities in Arizona

Cons of moving from Florida to Arizona

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from beach access in Florida to live with no beaches in Arizona
  • You'll lose out on the pro of water sports and have to settle for the con of limited water activities
  • Time to bid farewell to no state income tax and get used to state income tax in Arizona
  • Swap vibrant nightlife for quieter nightlife

Florida vs. Arizona: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonFloridaArizona
Most iconic local food itemKey Lime PieSonoran Hot Dog
Most popular meat dishCuban SandwichCarne Asada
Most popular street food itemEmpanadasTacos
Most popular vegan foodMangoCactus
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Joe's Stone Crab
  • Bern's Steak House
  • Versailles Restaurant
  • Pizzeria Bianco
  • El Charro CafΓ©
  • FnB
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 Florida to Arizona, you will be trading the iconic Key Lime Pie of Florida for the equally delicious Sonoran Hot Dog of Arizona. And while the locals in Florida rave about their flavorful Cuban Sandwich and sumptuous Empanadas, Arizona residents know they have tasty Carne Asada and Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Mango they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Cactus of Arizona. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Florida eateries like Joe's Stone Crab, Bern's Steak House, and Versailles Restaurant. After the boxes are unpacked in Arizona, don't wait too long before making your way to Arizona's acclaimed eateries like Pizzeria Bianco, El Charro CafΓ©, and FnB.

When comparing lifestyles, Arizona shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Florida. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Arizona, compared to what you are used to in Florida. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Arizona.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Florida and Arizona

ComparisonFloridaArizona
Typical Architecture StyleSpanish, MediterraneanPueblo, Ranch
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 listingWaterfront, PoolMountain view, Desert landscaping
  • The Spanish and Mediterranean architecture that Florida is known for will be replaced with the Pueblo and Ranch architecture typical of Arizona.
  • Compared to Florida's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront and pools, Arizona real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and desert landscaping.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Arizona is less walkable than Florida.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Arizona is less bike-friendly than Florida.
  • Arizona has less of an urban feel than Florida.
  • Arizona housing costs are 8% more expensive than they are in Florida, with a median home price of $430,827 compared to Florida’s $397,137.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arizona have increased 63% compared to a 66% increase in Florida.
  • Rent in Arizona is 13.98% more affordable than in Florida.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Florida and Arizona

ComparisonFloridaArizona
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 DisastersHurricanesWildfires
Air QualityGood to ModerateVaries; Mostly Good
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)90/75104/81
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)70/4867/46
Annual Rainfall (Inches)50"13"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)0"0-100"+ (varies greatly by elevation)
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Florida to Arizona. Arizona gets 26% more sunshine days than Florida.
  • Arizona has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Florida.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes in Florida but be on the lookout for potential wildfires in Arizona.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Arizona is 14 degrees warmer than in Florida.
  • The average winter lows in Arizona are 2 degrees colder than they are in Florida.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Arizona. Arizona receives 37 fewer inches of rain compared to Florida.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Florida and Arizona

ComparisonFloridaArizona
Avg. Household Income$69,303$74,568
Cost of Living Index97.8101.2
State Income Tax0%2.59% - 4.50%
Avg. Property Tax0.83%0.66%
Avg. Sales Tax7.05%8.37%
Top 3 IndustriesTourism, Agriculture, AerospaceMining, Aerospace, Manufacturing
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyModerateModerate
HomelessnessNoticeableNoticeable
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arizona tend to earn about 8% more than in Florida
  • The COLI in Arizona will be 3% higher than what you are used to living in Florida
  • Bummer... By moving from FL to AZ, you'll now have a state income tax of 2.59% - 4.50%
  • The affluence in Arizona is moderate compared to moderate in Florida
  • The poverty level is moderate in Arizona compared to moderate in Florida
  • In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in Florida and noticeable in Arizona

Political and Religious Climate in Florida vs. Arizona

ComparisonFloridaArizona
Political Make-upMixed, with a slight Republican lean in recent electionsIncreasingly competitive, with both parties having significant support
Local PoliticsDiverse, ranging from very conservative areas to liberal enclavesVaries widely, with conservative dominance in rural areas and liberal tendencies in urban centers
ReligionChristian majority with significant Catholic and Protestant populationsDiverse, with a slightly smaller percentage of Christians than Florida, but a growing number of non-religious residents
  • Florida tends to lean mixed, with a slight Republican lean in its political climate
  • Arizona, on the other hand, is often described as increasingly competitive, with both parties having significant support
  • Arizona's religious environment can be described as diverse, with a slightly smaller percentage of Christians than Florida but a growing number of non-religious residents
  • Florida's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority with significant Catholic and Protestant populations

Education Guide When Moving from Florida to Arizona

ComparisonFloridaArizona
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Florida
Florida State University
University of Central Florida
Arizona State University
University of Arizona
Northern Arizona University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsPine View School (Osprey)
Doral Academy of Technology (Doral)
Somerset Academy (Miramar)
Basis Scottsdale Primary - West Campus (Scottsdale)
Knox Gifted Academy (Chandler)
Archway Classical Academy (Phoenix)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsPine View School (Osprey)
Archimedean Middle Conservatory (Miami)
Doral Academy of Technology (Doral)
Basis Chandler (Chandler)
Basis Scottsdale (Scottsdale)
Basis Oro Valley (Oro Valley)
Top 3 High SchoolsPine View School (Osprey)
School for Advanced Studies (Miami)
Stanton College Preparatory School (Jacksonville)
Basis Scottsdale (Scottsdale)
Basis Peoria (Peoria)
Basis Tucson North (Tucson)
Top 3 private high schoolsRansom Everglades School (Coconut Grove)
The Bolles School (Jacksonville)
Pine Crest School (Fort Lauderdale)
Brophy College Preparatory (Phoenix)
The Gregory School (Tucson)
Phoenix Country Day School (Paradise Valley)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsPine Crest School (Fort Lauderdale)
The Bolles School (Jacksonville)
American Heritage School (Plantation)
Veritas Preparatory Academy (Phoenix)
Chandler Preparatory Academy (Chandler)
North Phoenix Preparatory Academy (Phoenix)
Top 3 School DistrictsSt. Johns County School District
Sarasota County Schools
Okaloosa County School District
Scottsdale Unified School District
Catalina Foothills School District
Chandler Unified School District

How Much Do Florida to Arizona Movers Cost?

Moving 2,174 miles from Florida to Arizona 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 Florida to Arizona Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Florida to Arizona movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Sterling Interstate LLC featured image

Sterling Interstate LLC

Best moving company overall for Florida to Arizona

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