Idaho to Florida Moving Guide
Updated June 12, 2025

Planning a 2,670 mile interstate move from Idaho to Florida? This moving guide will help you compare living in Idaho vs Florida across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild winters), food & health (like Idaho Potatoes vs Key Lime Pie), real estate & housing (rustic, modern farmhouse vs spanish revival, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Florida), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Idaho Potatoes and Trout, but get your taste buds ready for Key Lime Pie & Cuban Sandwich
- Florida housing costs are 12% less expensive than they are in Idaho
- Rent in Florida is 37.73% more expensive than in Idaho
- Moving from Idaho to Florida will cost on average between $2,500 - $10,000
- Our top recommended Idaho to Florida movers is Sebastian Moving and More
Idaho to Florida Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Idaho to Florida
- Harsh winters
- Limited beaches
- Remote locations
- Fewer amenities
- Less nightlife
- Mild winters
- Beautiful coastlines
- Vibrant cities
- Abundant dining options
- Lively entertainment
- Higher expenses
- Flat terrain
- Heavy tourism
- Fast-paced lifestyle
- Humidity
- Low cost of living
- Scenic landscapes
- Solitude
- Friendly community
- Clean air
Pros of moving from Idaho to Florida
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to mild winters
- Look forward to moving away from limited beaches and moving to Florida with beautiful coastlines
- Swap the remote locations of Idaho for vibrant cities in Florida
- Get ready for abundant dining options in Florida
Cons of moving from Idaho to Florida
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the low cost of living in Idaho to live with higher expenses in Florida
- You'll lose out on the pro of scenic landscapes and have to settle for the con of flat terrain
- Time to bid farewell to solitude and get used to heavy tourism in Florida
- Swap a friendly community for a fast-paced lifestyle
Idaho vs. Florida: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Idaho | Florida |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Idaho Potatoes | Key Lime Pie |
Most popular meat dish | Trout | Cuban Sandwich |
Most popular street food item | French Fries | Empanadas |
Most popular vegan food | Quinoa Salad | Black Bean Burgers |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 |
Abundance of Food Trucks | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 |
Foodie Scene | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 |
Vegan Friendly | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 |
If you're moving from Idaho to Florida, you will be trading the iconic Idaho Potatoes of Idaho for the equally delicious Key Lime Pie of Florida. And while the locals in Idaho rave about their flavorful Trout and sumptuous French Fries, Florida residents know they have tasty Cuban Sandwich and Empanadas to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Quinoa Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Black Bean Burgers of Florida. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Idaho eateries like Boise Fry Company, State and Lemp, and The Old Ada. After the boxes are unpacked in Florida, don't wait too long before making your way to Florida's acclaimed eateries like Joe's Stone Crab, Versailles Restaurant, and Bern's Steak House.
When comparing lifestyles, Florida shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Idaho. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Florida compared to what you are used to in Idaho. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Florida.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Idaho and Florida
Comparison | Idaho | Florida |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Rustic, Modern Farmhouse | Spanish Revival, Modern |
Walkability | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 |
Bikeability | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 |
Urban Lifestyle | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large lots, scenic views | Proximity to beaches, outdoor entertainment |
- The Rustic and Modern Farmhouse architecture that Idaho is known for will be replaced with the Spanish Revival and Modern architecture typical of Florida.
- Compared to Idaho's real estate listings that commonly reference large lots and scenic views, Florida real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to beaches and outdoor entertainment.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Florida is more walkable than Idaho.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Florida is less bike-friendly than Idaho.
- Florida has more of an urban feel than Idaho.
- Florida housing costs are 12% less expensive than they are in Idaho, with a median home price of $397,137 compared to Idaho’s $451,298.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Florida have increased by 66% compared to a 69% increase in Idaho.
- Rent in Florida is 37.73% more expensive than in Idaho.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Idaho and Florida
Comparison | Idaho | Florida |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 |
Avg. UV Index | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ |
Natural Disasters | Wildfires, Earthquakes | Hurricanes, Flooding |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (°F) | 85°F / 40°F | 90°F / 75°F |
Average Winter High/Low (°F) | 32°F / 14°F | 65°F / 45°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 12-30 | 40-65 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 20-60 | 0 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Idaho to Florida. Florida gets 16% more sunshine days than Idaho.
- Florida has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Idaho.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and earthquakes in Idaho, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and flooding in Florida.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Florida is 5 degrees warmer than in Idaho.
- The average winter lows are 31 degrees warmer than they are in Idaho.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Florida. Florida receives 28 more inches of rain compared to Idaho.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Idaho and Florida
Comparison | Idaho | Florida |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $72,785 | $69,303 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.5 | 97.8 |
State Income Tax | 6.925% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.69% | 0.83% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.02% | 7.05% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Technology, Manufacturing | Tourism, Agriculture, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | Varied |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Minimal | Higher |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Florida tend to earn about 5% less than in Idaho
- The COLI in Florida is 7% higher than what you are used to living in Idaho
- Hooray, moving to Florida means you'll no longer have state income taxes
- The affluence in Florida is varied compared to moderate affluence in Idaho
- The poverty level is moderate in Florida compared to low poverty in Idaho
- In terms of homelessness, it is minimal in Idaho and higher in Florida
Political and Religious Climate in Idaho vs. Florida
Comparison | Idaho | Florida |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative | Mixed, Swing State |
Local Politics | Local Government Strongly Republican | Diversified Political Landscape |
Religion | Highly Religious, Predominantly Christian | Diverse Religious Communities |
- Idaho tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
- Florida, on the other hand, is often described as mixed and a Swing State
- Florida's religious environment can be described as diverse Religious Communities
- Idaho's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as highly Religious and Predominantly Christian
Education Guide When Moving from Idaho to Florida
Comparison | Idaho | Florida |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Boise State University University of Idaho Idaho State University | University of Florida Florida State University University of Central Florida |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Longfellow Elementary - Boise Washington Elementary - Boise Adams Elementary - Boise | Pine View School - Osprey Okaloosa STEMM Academy - Valparaiso Freedom 7 Elementary School of International Studies - Cocoa Beach |
Top 3 Middle Schools | North Star Charter School - Eagle Galileo Magnet School - Eagle Heritage Middle School - Meridian | Bak Middle School of the Arts - West Palm Beach Archimedean Middle Conservatory - Miami Pine View School - Osprey |
Top 3 High Schools | Renaissance High School - Meridian Boise High School - Boise Coeur d'Alene High School - Coeur d'Alene | Pine View School - Osprey Stanton College Preparatory School - Jacksonville Design and Architecture Senior High - Miami |
Top 3 private high schools | The Ambrose School - Meridian Bishop Kelly High School - Boise Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy - Coeur d'Alene | Bolles School - Jacksonville American Heritage School - Plantation Pine Crest School - Fort Lauderdale |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Ambrose School - Meridian Riverstone International School - Boise Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy - Coeur d'Alene | Ransom Everglades School - Coconut Grove Pine Crest School - Fort Lauderdale The Bolles School - Jacksonville |
Top 3 School Districts | Boise School District Blaine County School District Coeur d'Alene School District | St. Johns County School District Sarasota County Schools Okaloosa County School District |
How Much Do Idaho to Florida Movers Cost?
Moving 2,670 miles from Idaho to Florida 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.
- Expected Range: $4,000 - $10,000
- 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 | $2,716 | 300 ft3 | $9.05 |
1 Bedroom | $4,052 | 450 ft3 | $9.00 |
2 Bedrooms | $6,715 | 750 ft3 | $8.95 |
3 Bedrooms | $9,794 | 1100 ft3 | $8.90 |
4 Bedrooms | $14,166 | 1600 ft3 | $8.85 |
5+ Bedrooms | $15,847 | 1800 ft3 | $8.80 |
Top Idaho to Florida Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Idaho to Florida movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sebastian Moving and More
Best moving company overall for Idaho to Florida