Florida to California Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Florida to California

ConsFlorida

• Hurricane season
• High humidity
• Flat terrain
• Limited career options

ProsCalifornia

• Mild climate
• Diverse landscapes
• Mountains & beaches
• Thriving job market

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California

• High living expenses
• High state taxes
• Wildfire risks
• Traffic congestion

Florida

• Low cost of living
• No state income tax
• Warm beaches
• Close-knit communities

Pros of moving from Florida to California

• Say goodbye to hurricane season and hello to mild climate
• Look forward to moving away from high humidity and moving to California with diverse landscapes
• Swap the flat terrain of Florida for mountains and beaches in California
• Get ready for a thriving job market in California

Cons of moving from Florida to California

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from low cost of living in Florida to live with high living expenses in California
• You'll lose out on the pro of no state income tax and have to settle for the con of high state taxes
• Time to bid farewell to warm beaches and get used to wildfire risks in California
• Swap close-knit communities for traffic congestion

Florida vs. California: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Florida to California, you will be trading the iconic Key Lime Pie of Florida for the equally delicious Sourdough Bread of California. And while the locals in Florida rave about their flavorful Cuban Sandwich and sumptuous Conch Fritters, California residents know they have tasty Tri-tip BBQ and Tacos 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 Avocado Toast of California. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Florida eateries like Joe's Stone Crab, Versailles Restaurant, and Bern's Steak House. After the boxes are unpacked in California, don't wait too long before making your way to California's acclaimed eateries like Chez Panisse, The French Laundry, and N/Naka.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Florida and California

• The Mediterranean and Modern architecture that Florida is known for will be replaced with the Spanish and Modern architecture typical of California.
• Compared to Florida's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront and gated communities, California real estate listings often highlight features like eco-friendly attributes and proximity to tech hubs.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. California is more walkable than Florida.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike. California is more bike-friendly than Florida.
• California has more of an urban feel than Florida.
• California housing costs are 97% more expensive than they are in Florida, with a median home price of $783,666 compared to Florida’s $397,137.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in California have increased 42% compared to a 66% increase in Florida.
• Rent in California is 22.54% more expensive than in Florida.

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

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Florida to California. California gets 20% more sunshine days than Florida.
• California has lower humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Florida.
• Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in Florida, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and wildfires in California.
• Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in California is 5 degrees colder than in Florida.
• The average winter lows are 6 degrees colder than they are in Florida.
• Your umbrella might be neglected in California. California receives 28 fewer inches of rain compared to Florida.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Florida and California

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in California tend to earn about 32% more than those in Florida
• The COLI in California will be 39% higher than what you are used to living in Florida
• Bummer... By moving from Florida to California, you'll now have a state income tax of 13.3%
• The affluence in California is high compared to modest in Florida
• The poverty level is significant in California compared to moderate in Florida
• In terms of homelessness, it is low in Florida and high in California

Political and Religious Climate in Florida vs. California

• Florida tends to lean mixed, with a slight lean towards conservatism in its political climate
• California, on the other hand, is often described as strongly liberal, especially in urban areas
• California's religious environment can be described as having larger proportions of unaffiliated individuals, alongside a mix of religious beliefs
• Florida's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity being the dominant religion, with a sizable minority of unaffiliated individuals

Education Guide When Moving from Florida to California

How Much Do Florida to California Movers Cost?

Moving 2,786 miles from Florida to California will typically cost between $4,000 and $10,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.