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Florida to Montana Moving Guide

Updated June 10, 2025

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Planning a 2,479 mile interstate move from Florida to Montana? This moving guide will help you compare living in Florida vs Montana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like humidity and heat vs cool, dry climate), food & health (like Key Lime Pie vs Huckleberry Pie), real estate & housing (spanish revival, modern vs rustic, cabin-style), 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 Huckleberry Pie & Bison Burger
  • Montana housing costs are 15% more expensive than they are in Florida
  • Rent in Montana is 36.66% more affordable than in Florida
  • Moving from Florida to Montana will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,500
  • Our top recommended Florida to Montana movers is Sebastian Moving and More

Florida to Montana Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Florida to Montana

ConsFlorida iconFlorida
  • Humidity and heat
  • Busy urban areas
  • High hurricane risk
  • Dense traffic
  • Flat terrain
ProsMontana iconMontana
  • Cool, dry climate
  • Quiet rural settings
  • Low natural disaster risk
  • Less congestion
  • Scenic mountains

Montana iconMontana
  • No ocean access
  • Less cultural variety
  • Quieter lifestyle
  • Limited seafood options
  • Fewer entertainment hubs
Florida iconFlorida
  • Beautiful beaches
  • Rich cultural diversity
  • Vibrant nightlife
  • Abundant seafood
  • Theme parks

Pros of moving from Florida to Montana

  • Say goodbye to humidity and heat and hello to a cool, dry climate
  • Look forward to moving away from busy urban areas and moving to Montana with quiet rural settings
  • Swap the high hurricane risk of Florida for a low natural disaster risk in Montana
  • Get ready for less congestion in Montana

Cons of moving from Florida to Montana

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from beautiful beaches in Florida to live with no ocean access in Montana
  • You'll lose out on the pro of rich cultural diversity and have to settle for the con of less cultural variety
  • Time to bid farewell to vibrant nightlife and get used to a quieter lifestyle in Montana
  • Swap abundant seafood for limited seafood options

Florida vs. Montana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonFloridaMontana
Most iconic local food itemKey Lime PieHuckleberry Pie
Most popular meat dishCuban SandwichBison Burger
Most popular street food itemCubanosElk Sausage
Most popular vegan foodAcai BowlLentil Soup
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
    • Joe's Stone Crab
    • Versailles Restaurant
    • Benny's Seafood
    • Pearl CafΓ©
    • Casa Fiesta
    • Mackenzie River Pizza Co.
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 Montana, you will be trading the iconic Key Lime Pie of Florida for the equally delicious Huckleberry Pie of Montana. And while the locals in Florida rave about their flavorful Cuban Sandwich and sumptuous Cubanos, Montana residents know they have tasty Bison Burger and Elk Sausage to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Acai Bowl they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Lentil Soup of Montana. 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 Benny's Seafood. After the boxes are unpacked in Montana, don't wait too long before making your way to Montana's acclaimed eateries like Pearl CafΓ©, Casa Fiesta, and Mackenzie River Pizza Co.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Florida and Montana

ComparisonFloridaMontana
Typical Architecture StyleSpanish Revival, ModernRustic, Cabin-style
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, WaterfrontMountain view, Acreage
  • The Spanish Revival and Modern architecture that Florida is known for will be replaced with the Rustic and Cabin-style architecture typical of Montana.
  • Compared to Florida's real estate listings that commonly reference pools and waterfronts, Montana real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and acreage.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Montana is less walkable than Florida.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Montana is less bike-friendly than Florida.
  • Montana has less of an urban feel than Florida.
  • Montana housing costs are 15% more expensive than they are in Florida, with a median home price of $456,199 compared to Florida’s $397,137.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Montana have increased by 71% compared to a 66% increase in Florida.
  • Rent in Montana is 36.66% more affordable than in Florida.

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

ComparisonFloridaMontana
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, FloodsWildfires, Snowstorms
Air QualityModerateGood
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)90Β°F / 70Β°F85Β°F / 50Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)70Β°F / 48Β°F34Β°F / 17Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)54"15"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)0"90"
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Florida to Montana. Montana gets 20% fewer sunshine days than Florida.
  • Montana has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Florida.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in Florida, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and snowstorms in Montana.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Montana is 5 degrees colder than Florida.
  • The average winter lows are 31 degrees colder than they are in Florida.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Montana. Montana receives 39 fewer inches of rain compared to Florida.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Florida and Montana

ComparisonFloridaMontana
Avg. Household Income$69,303$67,631
Cost of Living Index97.899.4
State Income Tax0%6.9%
Avg. Property Tax0.93%0.83%
Avg. Sales Tax7.05%6.6%
Top 3 IndustriesTourism, Agriculture, AviationAgriculture, Mining, Tourism
AffluenceModerateLower
PovertyAverageAbove average
HomelessnessModerateLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Montana tend to earn about 2% less than in Florida
  • The COLI in Montana will be 2% higher than what you are used to living in Florida
  • Bummer... By moving from FL to MT, you'll now have a state income tax of 6.9%
  • The affluence in Montana is lower compared to moderate affluence in Florida
  • The poverty level is above average in Montana compared to average poverty in Florida
  • In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Florida and low in Montana

Political and Religious Climate in Florida vs. Montana

ComparisonFloridaMontana
Political Make-upMixed with a slight Republican leanMostly Republican
Local PoliticsVaried, with urban areas leaning Democratic and rural areas leaning RepublicanSignificantly Republican, especially in rural areas
ReligionChristianity predominant, diverse religious communities in urban areasPrimarily Christian, less religious diversity
  • Florida tends to lean mixed with a slight Republican lean in its political climate
  • Montana, on the other hand, is often described as mostly Republican
  • Montana's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian with less religious diversity
  • Florida's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity with diverse religious communities in urban areas

Education Guide When Moving from Florida to Montana

ComparisonFloridaMontana
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Florida
Florida State University
University of Miami
Montana State University
University of Montana
Montana Tech
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsPine View School (Osprey)
A.D. Henderson University School (Boca Raton)
Archimedean Academy (Miami)
Hawthorne School (Bozeman)
Chief Charlo School (Missoula)
Cold Springs Elementary (Missoula)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsPine View School (Osprey)
Archimedean Middle Conservatory (Miami)
A.D. Henderson University School (Boca Raton)
Sacajawea Middle School (Bozeman)
Lewis and Clark Middle School (Billings)
Helena Middle School (Helena)
Top 3 High SchoolsPine View School (Osprey)
Stanton College Preparatory School (Jacksonville)
Design and Architecture Senior High (Miami)
Bozeman High School (Bozeman)
Hellgate High School (Missoula)
Sentinel High School (Missoula)
Top 3 private high schoolsRansom Everglades School (Coconut Grove)
Bolles School (Jacksonville)
American Heritage School (Plantation)
Billings Central Catholic High School (Billings)
Helena Christian School (East Helena)
Missoula International School (Missoula)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsAmerican Heritage School (Plantation)
Pine Crest School (Fort Lauderdale)
North Broward Preparatory School (Coconut Creek)
Petra Academy (Bozeman)
Stillwater Christian School (Kalispell)
Missoula International School (Missoula)
Top 3 School DistrictsSt. Johns County School District
Sarasota County Schools
Okaloosa County School District
Bozeman School District
Missoula County Public Schools
Billings Public Schools

How Much Do Florida to Montana Movers Cost?

Moving 2,479 miles from Florida to Montana will typically cost between $4,000 and $9,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $4,000 - $9,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 3-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Veteran Moving Group
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,608300 ft3$8.69
1 Bedroom$3,889450 ft3$8.64
2 Bedrooms$6,445750 ft3$8.59
3 Bedrooms$9,3971100 ft3$8.54
4 Bedrooms$13,5891600 ft3$8.49
5+ Bedrooms$15,1971800 ft3$8.44

Top Florida to Montana Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Florida to Montana 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 Montana

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

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