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Kentucky to Florida Moving Guide

Updated June 3, 2025

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Planning a 861 mile interstate move from Kentucky to Florida? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kentucky vs Florida across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited beach access vs pristine beaches), food & health (like Fried Chicken vs Key Lime Pie), real estate & housing (federal, victorian vs mediterranean, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Florida), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Fried Chicken and Hot Brown, but get your taste buds ready for Key Lime Pie & Cuban Sandwich
  • Florida housing costs are 97% more expensive than they are in Kentucky
  • Rent in Florida is 69.94% more expensive than in Kentucky
  • Moving from Kentucky to Florida will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
  • Our top recommended Kentucky to Florida movers is Sebastian Moving and More

Kentucky to Florida Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Kentucky to Florida

ConsKentucky iconKentucky
  • Limited beach access
  • Harsh winters
  • Less diverse wildlife
  • Fewer cultural events
  • Small cities
ProsFlorida iconFlorida
  • Pristine beaches
  • Warmer climate
  • Rich biodiversity
  • Lively festivals
  • Major urban areas

Florida iconFlorida
  • High hurricane risk
  • More expensive lifestyle
  • Tourist crowds
  • New construction
  • Transient population
Kentucky iconKentucky
  • Quaint countryside
  • Lower cost of living
  • Southern hospitality
  • Historic charm
  • Familiar community

Pros of moving from Kentucky to Florida

  • Say goodbye to limited beach access and hello to pristine beaches
  • Look forward to moving away from harsh winters and moving to Florida with a warmer climate
  • Swap the less diverse wildlife of Kentucky for rich biodiversity in Florida
  • Get ready for lively festivals in Florida

Cons of moving from Kentucky to Florida

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the quaint countryside in Kentucky to live with high hurricane risk in Florida
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a lower cost of living and have to settle for the con of a more expensive lifestyle
  • Time to bid farewell to southern hospitality and get used to the tourist crowds in Florida
  • Swap historic charm for new construction

Kentucky vs. Florida: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonKentuckyFlorida
Most iconic local food itemFried ChickenKey Lime Pie
Most popular meat dishHot BrownCuban Sandwich
Most popular street food itemBurgooEmpanadas
Most popular vegan foodKentucky Beer CheeseAcai Bowl
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Brown Hotel
  • Claudia Sanders Dinner House
  • Mama's Kitchen
  • Joe's Stone Crab
  • Bern's Steak House
  • Versailles Restaurant
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 Kentucky to Florida, you will be trading the iconic Fried Chicken of Kentucky for the equally delicious Key Lime Pie of Florida. And while the locals in Kentucky rave about their flavorful Hot Brown and sumptuous Burgoo, Florida residents know they have tasty Cuban Sandwich and Empanadas to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Kentucky Beer Cheese they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Acai Bowl of Florida. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Kentucky eateries like The Brown Hotel, Claudia Sanders Dinner House, and Mama's Kitchen. 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, Bern's Steak House, and Versailles Restaurant.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kentucky and Florida

ComparisonKentuckyFlorida
Typical Architecture StyleFederal, VictorianMediterranean, Modern
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 listingLarge lots, scenic viewsWaterfront, outdoor living
  • The Federal and Victorian architecture that Kentucky is known for will be replaced with the Mediterranean and Modern architecture typical of Florida.
  • Compared to Kentucky's real estate listings that commonly reference large lots and scenic views, Florida real estate listings often highlight features like waterfront and outdoor living.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Florida is more walkable than Kentucky.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Florida is more bike-friendly than Kentucky.
  • Florida has more of an urban feel than Kentucky.
  • Florida housing costs are 97% more expensive than they are in Kentucky, with a median home price of $397,137 compared to Kentucky’s $201,332.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Florida have increased by 66% compared to a 47% increase in Kentucky.
  • Rent in Florida is 69.94% more expensive than in Kentucky.

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

ComparisonKentuckyFlorida
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 DisastersTornadoes, StormsHurricanes, Tropical Storms
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)87Β°F / 66Β°F91Β°F / 75Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)41Β°F / 23Β°F70Β°F / 55Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4854
Annual Snowfall (Inches)220
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Kentucky to Florida. Florida gets 22% more sunshine days than Kentucky.
  • Florida has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Kentucky.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and storms in Kentucky, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and tropical storms in Florida.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Florida is 4 degrees warmer than in Kentucky.
  • The average winter lows are 32 degrees warmer than they are in Kentucky.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Florida. Florida receives 6 more inches of rain compared to Kentucky.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Kentucky and Florida

ComparisonKentuckyFlorida
Avg. Household Income$59,341$69,303
Cost of Living Index87.897.8
State Income Tax5%0%
Avg. Property Tax0.86%0.98%
Avg. Sales Tax6%7.05%
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Agriculture, HealthcareTourism, Agriculture, Aerospace
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessModerateHigh
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Florida tend to earn about 17% more than those in Kentucky
  • The COLI in Florida will be 11% higher than what you are used to living in Kentucky
  • Hooray, moving to FL means you'll no longer have state income taxes
  • The affluence in Florida is high compared to moderate affluence in Kentucky
  • The poverty level is low in Florida compared to moderate poverty in Kentucky
  • In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Kentucky and high in Florida

Political and Religious Climate in Kentucky vs. Florida

ComparisonKentuckyFlorida
Political Make-upLean ConservativeSwing State
Local PoliticsStrong local governance, rural influence significantDiverse local governance, significant urban and Latino influence
ReligionPrimarily Christian, with Baptist being predominant Kentucky Baptist ConventionMixed religious landscape, with a significant Catholic population Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops
  • Kentucky tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
  • Florida, on the other hand, is often described as a swing State
  • Florida's religious environment can be described as a mixed religious landscape, with a significant Catholic population from the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops
  • Kentucky's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Christian, with Baptist being predominant from the Kentucky Baptist Convention

Education Guide When Moving from Kentucky to Florida

ComparisonKentuckyFlorida
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Kentucky
Lexington; University of Louisville
Louisville; Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green
University of Florida
Gainesville; Florida State University
Tallahassee; University of Central Florida
Orlando
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsPikeville Elementary
Pikeville; Anchorage Public School
Anchorage; Rosa Parks Elementary
Lexington
Pine View School
Osprey; Doral Academy of Technology
Doral; Somerset Academy Chapel Trail
Pembroke Pines
Top 3 Middle SchoolsBarret Traditional Middle School
Louisville; Boone County Schools Ignite Institute
Florence; Glasgow Middle School
Glasgow
Bak Middle School of the Arts
West Palm Beach; Archimedean Middle Conservatory
Miami; Pine View School
Osprey
Top 3 High SchoolsDuPont Manual High
Louisville; Highlands High
Fort Thomas; Beechwood High
Fort Mitchell
Pine View School
Osprey; Stanton College Preparatory
Jacksonville; Design and Architecture Senior High
Miami
Top 3 private high schoolsSacred Heart Academy
Louisville; Kentucky Country Day School
Louisville; The Lexington School
Lexington
Pine Crest School
Fort Lauderdale; Ransom Everglades School
Coconut Grove; The Bolles School
Jacksonville
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Lexington School
Lexington; Kentucky Country Day School
Louisville; Sayre School
Lexington
Ransom Everglades School
Coconut Grove; Pine Crest School
Fort Lauderdale; North Broward Preparatory School
Coconut Creek
Top 3 School DistrictsFayette County Public Schools
Lexington; Jefferson County Public Schools
Louisville; Boone County Schools
Florence
St. Johns County School District
St. Johns; Sarasota County Schools
Sarasota; Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Miami

How Much Do Kentucky to Florida Movers Cost?

Moving 861 miles from Kentucky to Florida 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$2,513450 ft3$5.59
2 Bedrooms$4,152750 ft3$5.54
3 Bedrooms$6,0341100 ft3$5.49
4 Bedrooms$8,6971600 ft3$5.44
5+ Bedrooms$9,6941800 ft3$5.39

Top Kentucky to Florida Movers

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

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

Easy Florida Moving LLC

9.56/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
From Here to There featured image

From Here to There

9.16/10
ExceptionalView details