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Florida to Kentucky Moving Guide

Updated June 15, 2025

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Planning a 862 mile interstate move from Florida to Kentucky? This moving guide will help you compare living in Florida vs Kentucky across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hurricane risk vs severe weather less frequent), food & health (like Key Lime Pie vs Fried Chicken), real estate & housing (mediterranean, modern vs colonial, craftsman), 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 Fried Chicken & Hot Brown
  • Kentucky housing costs are 49% less expensive than they are in Florida
  • Rent in Kentucky is 41.16% more affordable than in Florida
  • Moving from Florida to Kentucky will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
  • Our top recommended Florida to Kentucky movers is Sebastian Moving and More

Florida to Kentucky Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Florida to Kentucky

ConsFlorida iconFlorida
  • Hurricane risk
  • High summer heat
  • Expensive property
  • Heavy tourism
ProsKentucky iconKentucky
  • Severe weather less frequent
  • Milder summers
  • Affordable housing
  • Quieter surroundings

Kentucky iconKentucky
  • No oceanfront
  • Cold winters
  • Fewer exotic animals
  • Less diversity
Florida iconFlorida
  • Beach access
  • Warm winters
  • Rich wildlife
  • Diverse population

Pros of moving from Florida to Kentucky

  • Say goodbye to hurricane risk and hello to severe weather that is less frequent
  • Look forward to moving away from high summer heat and moving to Kentucky with milder summers
  • Swap the expensive property of Florida for affordable housing in Kentucky
  • Get ready for quieter surroundings in Kentucky

Cons of moving from Florida to Kentucky

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from beach access in Florida to live with no oceanfront in Kentucky
  • You'll lose out on the pro of warm winters and have to settle for the con of cold winters
  • Time to bid farewell to rich wildlife and get used to fewer exotic animals in Kentucky
  • Swap diverse population for less diversity

Florida vs. Kentucky: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonFloridaKentucky
Most iconic local food itemKey Lime PieFried Chicken
Most popular meat dishCuban SandwichHot Brown
Most popular street food itemCuban SandwichBurgoo
Most popular vegan foodAΓ§aΓ­ BowlSeitan BBQ
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Joe's Stone Crab
  • Bern's Steak House
  • Columbia Restaurant
  • The Monarch
  • Please & Thank You
  • Blue Heron Steakhouse
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 Kentucky, you will be trading the iconic Key Lime Pie of Florida for the equally delicious Fried Chicken of Kentucky. And while the locals in Florida rave about their flavorful Cuban Sandwich and sumptuous Cuban Sandwich, Kentucky residents know they have tasty Hot Brown and Burgoo to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the AΓ§aΓ­ Bowl they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Seitan BBQ of Kentucky. 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 Columbia Restaurant. After the boxes are unpacked in Kentucky, don't wait too long before making your way to Kentucky's acclaimed eateries like The Monarch, Please & Thank You, and Blue Heron Steakhouse.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Florida and Kentucky

ComparisonFloridaKentucky
Typical Architecture StyleMediterranean, ModernColonial, Craftsman
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 listingPool, WaterfrontLarge Yards, Historic Details
  • The Mediterranean and Modern architecture that Florida is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Craftsman architecture typical of Kentucky.
  • Compared to Florida's real estate listings that commonly reference pools and waterfronts, Kentucky real estate listings often highlight features like large yards and historic details.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Kentucky is less walkable than Florida.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Kentucky is less bike-friendly than Florida.
  • Kentucky has less of an urban feel than Florida.
  • Kentucky housing costs are 49% less expensive than they are in Florida, with a median home price of $201,332 compared to Florida’s $397,137.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Kentucky have increased by 47%, compared to a 66% increase in Florida.
  • Rent in Kentucky is 41.16% more affordable than in Florida.

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

ComparisonFloridaKentucky
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 DisastersHurricanes, Tropical StormsTornadoes, Floods
Air QualityGoodGood to Moderate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)90/7587/66
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)70/4944/28
Annual Rainfall (Inches)5347
Annual Snowfall (Inches)022
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Florida to Kentucky. Kentucky gets 18% fewer sunshine days than Florida.
  • Kentucky has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Florida.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tropical storms in Florida, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and floods in Kentucky.
  • The average summer high temperature in Kentucky is 3 degrees colder than in Florida.
  • The average winter lows are 21 degrees colder than they are in Florida.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Kentucky. Kentucky receives 6 fewer inches of rain compared to Florida.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Florida and Kentucky

ComparisonFloridaKentucky
Avg. Household Income$69,303$59,341
Cost of Living Index97.887.8
State Income Tax0%5%
Avg. Property Tax0.83%0.86%
Avg. Sales Tax7%6%
Top 3 IndustriesTourism, Agriculture, Real EstateManufacturing, Farming, Energy
AffluenceDiverseModest
PovertyModerateHigher
HomelessnessVisibleLower
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kentucky tend to earn about 14% less than in Florida
  • The COLI in Kentucky is 10% lower than what you are used to living in Florida
  • Bummer... By moving from Florida to Kentucky, you'll now have a state income tax of 5%
  • The affluence in Kentucky is modest compared to diverse affluence in Florida
  • The poverty level is higher in Kentucky compared to moderate poverty in Florida
  • In terms of homelessness, it is visible in Florida and lower in Kentucky

Political and Religious Climate in Florida vs. Kentucky

ComparisonFloridaKentucky
Political Make-upMixed; leans Republican in recent electionsMostly Republican, especially in rural areas
Local PoliticsVaries by region, with urban areas tending more DemocraticLocal politics can be deeply conservative, though cities like Louisville and Lexington are more liberal
ReligionDiverse; significant Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish populationsPrimarily Protestant, with a strong Evangelical Christian presence
  • Florida tends to lean mixed and leans Republican in its political climate
  • Kentucky, on the other hand, is often described as mostly Republican, especially in rural areas
  • Kentucky's religious environment can be described as primarily Protestant with a strong Evangelical Christian presence
  • Florida's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse with significant Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish populations

Education Guide When Moving from Florida to Kentucky

ComparisonFloridaKentucky
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Florida
Florida State University
University of Central Florida
University of Kentucky
University of Louisville
Western Kentucky University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsPine View School (Osprey)
Okaloosa STEMM Center (Valparaiso)
Doral Academy of Technology (Doral)
Barret Traditional Middle School (Louisville)
Scapa at Bluegrass (Lexington)
Mann Elementary (Union)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsBak Middle School of the Arts (West Palm Beach)
Archimedean Middle Conservatory (Miami)
Pine View School (Osprey)
DuPont Manual High School (Louisville)
Beechwood High School (Fort Mitchell)
Russell Independent Schools (Russell)
Top 3 High SchoolsPine View School (Osprey)
School for Advanced Studies (Miami)
Stanton College Preparatory School (Jacksonville)
DuPont Manual High School (Louisville)
Beechwood High School (Fort Mitchell)
Highlands High School (Fort Thomas)
Top 3 private high schoolsRansom Everglades School (Coconut Grove)
The Bolles School (Jacksonville)
American Heritage School (Plantation)
Sacred Heart Academy (Louisville)
St. Xavier High School (Louisville)
Lexington Catholic High School (Lexington)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsAmerican Heritage School (Plantation)
The Bolles School (Jacksonville)
Ransom Everglades School (Coconut Grove)
Sacred Heart Schools (Louisville)
Sayre School (Lexington)
The Lexington School (Lexington)
Top 3 School DistrictsSt. Johns County School District (St. Augustine)
Sarasota County Schools (Sarasota)
Okaloosa County School District (Fort Walton Beach)
Oldham County Schools (La Grange)
Beechwood Independent School District (Fort Mitchell)
Fort Thomas Independent Schools (Fort Thomas)

How Much Do Florida to Kentucky Movers Cost?

Moving 862 miles from Florida to Kentucky will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 3-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Veteran Moving Group
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,691300 ft3$5.64
1 Bedroom$2,514450 ft3$5.59
2 Bedrooms$4,153750 ft3$5.54
3 Bedrooms$6,0361100 ft3$5.49
4 Bedrooms$8,7001600 ft3$5.44
5+ Bedrooms$9,6971800 ft3$5.39

Top Florida to Kentucky Movers

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

TOP PICK
Sebastian Moving and More featured image

Sebastian Moving and More

Best moving company overall for Florida to Kentucky

9.72/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Easy Florida Moving LLC featured image

Easy Florida Moving LLC

9.56/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Our Family Moving and Storage LLC featured image

Our Family Moving and Storage LLC

9.54/10
ExceptionalView details