Florida to Arizona Moving Guide
Updated June 17, 2025

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
- High humidity
- Tropical storms
- Coastal erosion
- Tourist-heavy
- Dry heat
- Fewer storms
- Desert landscapes
- Less crowded cities
- No beaches
- Limited water activities
- State income tax
- Quieter nightlife
- 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
Comparison | Florida | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Key Lime Pie | Sonoran Hot Dog |
Most popular meat dish | Cuban Sandwich | Carne Asada |
Most popular street food item | Empanadas | Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Mango | Cactus |
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 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
Comparison | Florida | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Spanish, Mediterranean | Pueblo, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Waterfront, Pool | Mountain 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 Floridaβs $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
Comparison | Florida | Arizona |
---|---|---|
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 | Hurricanes | Wildfires |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Varies; Mostly Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90/75 | 104/81 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 70/48 | 67/46 |
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
Comparison | Florida | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $69,303 | $74,568 |
Cost of Living Index | 97.8 | 101.2 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 2.59% - 4.50% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.83% | 0.66% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.05% | 8.37% |
Top 3 Industries | Tourism, Agriculture, Aerospace | Mining, Aerospace, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Noticeable | Noticeable |
- 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
Comparison | Florida | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed, with a slight Republican lean in recent elections | Increasingly competitive, with both parties having significant support |
Local Politics | Diverse, ranging from very conservative areas to liberal enclaves | Varies widely, with conservative dominance in rural areas and liberal tendencies in urban centers |
Religion | Christian majority with significant Catholic and Protestant populations | Diverse, 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
Comparison | Florida | Arizona |
---|---|---|
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 Schools | Pine 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 Schools | Pine 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 Schools | Pine 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 schools | Ransom 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 schools | Pine 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 Districts | St. 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 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 Florida to Arizona Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Florida to Arizona movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sterling Interstate LLC
Best moving company overall for Florida to Arizona