Florida to North Carolina Moving Guide
Updated June 8, 2025

Planning a 666 mile interstate move from Florida to North Carolina? This moving guide will help you compare living in Florida vs North Carolina across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like summer humidity vs mild summer climate), food & health (like Key Lime Pie vs Barbecue Pork), 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 Barbecue Pork & Pulled Pork
- North Carolina housing costs are 17% less expensive than they are in Florida
- Rent in North Carolina is 22.14% more affordable than in Florida
- Moving from Florida to North Carolina will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended Florida to North Carolina movers is Sebastian Moving and More
Florida to North Carolina Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Florida to North Carolina
- Summer humidity
- High hurricane risk
- Higher cost of living
- Overcrowded beaches
- Mild summer climate
- Less frequent storms
- More affordable housing
- Quieter coastal areas
- Colder winter months
- Fewer beach options
- State income tax
- Quieter nightlife
- Warm winters
- Extensive beach access
- No state income tax
- Vibrant nightlife
Pros of moving from Florida to North Carolina
- Say goodbye to summer humidity and hello to a mild summer climate
- Look forward to moving away from high hurricane risk and moving to North Carolina with less frequent storms
- Swap the higher cost of living in Florida for more affordable housing in North Carolina
- Get ready for quieter coastal areas in North Carolina
Cons of moving from Florida to North Carolina
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from warm winters in Florida to live with colder winter months in North Carolina
- You'll lose out on the pro of extensive beach access and have to settle for the con of fewer beach options
- Time to bid farewell to no state income tax and get used to state income tax in North Carolina
- Swap vibrant nightlife for a quieter nightlife
Florida vs. North Carolina: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Florida | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Key Lime Pie | Barbecue Pork |
Most popular meat dish | Cuban Sandwich | Pulled Pork |
Most popular street food item | Empanadas | Hot Dogs |
Most popular vegan food | Jackfruit Tacos | BBQ Tofu |
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 North Carolina, you will be trading the iconic Key Lime Pie of Florida for the equally delicious Barbecue Pork of North Carolina. And while the locals in Florida rave about their flavorful Cuban Sandwich and sumptuous Empanadas, North Carolina residents know they have tasty Pulled Pork and Hot Dogs 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 BBQ Tofu of North Carolina. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Florida eateries like Joe's Stone Crab, Versailles, and Bern's Steak House. After the boxes are unpacked in North Carolina, don't wait too long before making your way to North Carolina's acclaimed eateries like 12 Bones Smokehouse, Lexington Barbecue, and Bida Manda.
When comparing lifestyles, North Carolina shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Florida. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in North Carolina compared to what you are used to in Florida. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in North Carolina.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Florida and North Carolina
Comparison | Florida | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Mediterranean, Modern | Colonial, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Waterfront, Pool | Large Yards, Proximity to Nature |
- The Mediterranean and Modern architecture that Florida is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Craftsman architecture typical of North Carolina.
- Compared to Florida's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront and pools, North Carolina real estate listings often highlight features like large yards and proximity to nature.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. North Carolina is less walkable than Florida.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. North Carolina is less bike-friendly than Florida.
- North Carolina has less of an urban feel than Florida.
- North Carolina housing costs are 17% less expensive than they are in Florida, with a median home price of $329,225 compared to Floridaβs $397,137.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in North Carolina have increased 63% compared to a 66% increase in Florida.
- Rent in North Carolina is 22.14% more affordable than in Florida.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Florida and North Carolina
Comparison | Florida | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
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, Floods | Hurricanes, Winter storms |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F/75Β°F | 88Β°F/67Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 70Β°F/48Β°F | 50Β°F/30Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 54" | 50" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0" | 4-12" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Florida to North Carolina. North Carolina gets 10% fewer sunshine days than Florida.
- North Carolina 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 hurricanes and winter storms in North Carolina.
- The average summer high temperature in North Carolina is 2 degrees colder than in Florida.
- The average winter lows in North Carolina are 18 degrees colder than they are in Florida.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in North Carolina. North Carolina receives 4 fewer inches of rain compared to Florida.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Florida and North Carolina
Comparison | Florida | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $69,303 | $67,481 |
Cost of Living Index | 97.8 | 95.85 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 5.25% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.83% | 0.85% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7% | 6.75% |
Top 3 Industries | Tourism, Agriculture, Aerospace | Technology, Biotechnology, Banking |
Affluence | Moderate | Growing |
Poverty | Moderate | Stable |
Homelessness | Increasing | Stable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Carolina tend to earn about 3% less than those in Florida
- The COLI in North Carolina is 2% lower than what you are used to living in Florida
- Bummer... By moving from Florida to North Carolina, you'll now have a state income tax of 5.25%
- The affluence in North Carolina is growing compared to moderate affluence in Florida
- The poverty level is stable in North Carolina compared to moderate poverty in Florida
- In terms of homelessness, it is increasing in Florida and stable in North Carolina
Political and Religious Climate in Florida vs. North Carolina
Comparison | Florida | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed, leans Republican | Mixed, slightly leans Republican |
Local Politics | Diverse, varies by region | Varies, with urban vs. rural divide |
Religion | Christian majority; significant non-affiliated minority | Christian majority, predominantly Baptist and Methodist |
- Florida tends to lean mixed and leans Republican in its political climate
- North Carolina, on the other hand, is often described as mixed and slightly leans Republican
- North Carolina's religious environment can be described as a Christian majority, predominantly Baptist and Methodist
- Florida's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority with a significant non-affiliated minority
Education Guide When Moving from Florida to North Carolina
Comparison | Florida | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Florida Florida State University University of Miami | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill North Carolina State University Duke University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Pine View School (Osprey) Fisher Island Day School (Miami Beach) Suncoast School (Riviera Beach) | Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (Charlotte) Quest Academy (Raleigh) Endhaven Elementary (Charlotte) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Bak Middle School of the Arts (West Palm Beach) Archimedean Middle Conservatory (Miami) Pine View School (Osprey) | Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology (Charlotte) Brown Summit Middle School (Brown Summit) Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (Charlotte) |
Top 3 High Schools | Pine View School (Osprey) School for Advanced Studies (Miami) Design and Architecture Senior High (Miami) | North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (Durham) Raleigh Charter High School (Raleigh) The Early College at Guilford (Greensboro) |
Top 3 private high schools | Ransom Everglades School (Coconut Grove) Pine Crest School (Fort Lauderdale) Bolles School (Jacksonville) | Charlotte Country Day School (Charlotte) Durham Academy (Durham) Greensboro Day School (Greensboro) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Gulliver Preparatory School (Pinecrest) American Heritage School (Plantation) Bolles School (Jacksonville) | Cannon School (Concord) Charlotte Country Day School (Charlotte) Providence Day School (Charlotte) |
Top 3 School Districts | St. Johns County School District Sarasota County Schools Okaloosa County School District | Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Wake County Public School System Union County Public Schools |
How Much Do Florida to North Carolina Movers Cost?
Moving 666 miles from Florida to North Carolina will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Veteran Moving Group
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,343 | 300 ft3 | $4.48 |
1 Bedroom | $1,995 | 450 ft3 | $4.43 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,294 | 750 ft3 | $4.39 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,784 | 1100 ft3 | $4.35 |
4 Bedrooms | $6,891 | 1600 ft3 | $4.31 |
5+ Bedrooms | $7,676 | 1800 ft3 | $4.26 |
Top Florida to North Carolina Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Florida to North Carolina movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sebastian Moving and More
Best moving company overall for Florida to North Carolina