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Minnesota to Florida Moving Guide

Updated June 16, 2025

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Planning a 1,782 mile interstate move from Minnesota to Florida? This moving guide will help you compare living in Minnesota vs Florida across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like cold winters vs mild winters), food & health (like Hotdish vs Key Lime Pie), real estate & housing (craftsman, colonial vs spanish revival, mediterranean), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Florida), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Hotdish and Walleye, but get your taste buds ready for Key Lime Pie & Cuban Sandwich
  • Florida housing costs are 20% more expensive than they are in Minnesota
  • Rent in Florida is 33.51% more expensive than in Minnesota
  • Moving from Minnesota to Florida will cost on average between $2,000 - $8,000
  • Our top recommended Minnesota to Florida movers is Sebastian Moving and More

Minnesota to Florida Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Minnesota to Florida

ConsMinnesota iconMinnesota
  • Cold winters
  • Limited beaches
  • Far from oceans
  • Limited sunshine
ProsFlorida iconFlorida
  • Mild winters
  • Beautiful beaches
  • Ocean access
  • Sunny days

Florida iconFlorida
  • Hurricane risks
  • Higher humidity
  • High tourist traffic
  • More crowded
Minnesota iconMinnesota
  • Lush greenery
  • Great schools
  • Quiet lifestyle
  • Friendly communities

Pros of moving from Minnesota to Florida

  • Say goodbye to cold winters and hello to mild winters
  • Look forward to moving away from limited beaches and moving to Florida with beautiful beaches
  • Swap the far from oceans of Minnesota for ocean access in Florida
  • Get ready for sunny days in Florida

Cons of moving from Minnesota to Florida

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from lush greenery in Minnesota to live with hurricane risks in Florida
  • You'll lose out on the pro of great schools and have to settle with the con of higher humidity
  • Time to bid farewell to a quiet lifestyle and get used to high tourist traffic in Florida
  • Swap friendly communities for more crowded ones

Minnesota vs. Florida: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMinnesotaFlorida
Most iconic local food itemHotdishKey Lime Pie
Most popular meat dishWalleyeCuban Sandwich
Most popular street food itemMini DonutsEmpanadas
Most popular vegan foodWild Rice SoupBlack Bean Burger
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Matt's Bar
  • Spoon and Stable
  • Smack Shack
  • Joe's Stone Crab
  • Versailles Restaurant
  • Bern's Steak House
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 Minnesota to Florida, you will be trading the iconic Hotdish of Minnesota for the equally delicious Key Lime Pie of Florida. And while the locals in Minnesota rave about their flavorful Walleye and sumptuous Mini Donuts, Florida residents know they have tasty Cuban Sandwich and Empanadas to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Rice Soup they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Black Bean Burger of Florida. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Minnesota eateries like Matt's Bar, Spoon and Stable, and Smack Shack. 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 less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Minnesota. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Florida compared to what you are used to in Minnesota. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Florida.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Minnesota and Florida

ComparisonMinnesotaFlorida
Typical Architecture StyleCraftsman, ColonialSpanish Revival, Mediterranean
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 listingLakeside access, spacious backyardsOcean view, gated communities
  • The Craftsman and Colonial architecture that Minnesota is known for will be replaced with the Spanish Revival and Mediterranean architecture typical of Florida.
  • Compared to Minnesota's real estate listings that commonly reference lakeside access and spacious backyards, Florida real estate listings often highlight features like ocean views and gated communities.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Florida is less walkable than Minnesota.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Florida is less bike-friendly than Minnesota.
  • Florida has more of an urban feel than Minnesota.
  • Florida housing costs are 20% more expensive than they are in Minnesota, with a median home price of $397,137 compared to Minnesota’s $331,117.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Florida have increased by 66% compared to a 33% increase in Minnesota.
  • Rent in Florida is 33.51% more expensive than in Minnesota.

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

ComparisonMinnesotaFlorida
Days of Sunshine per Year198 days237 days
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 DisastersBlizzards, FloodsHurricanes, Tropical Storms
Air QualityGenerally GoodVaries; Urban areas can be lower
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)83Β°F / 63Β°F91Β°F / 75Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)24Β°F / 7Β°F70Β°F / 48Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)30 inches50 inches
Annual Snowfall (Inches)45 inches0 inches
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Minnesota to Florida. Florida gets 20% more sunshine days than Minnesota.
  • Florida has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Minnesota.
  • Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and floods in Minnesota, 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 8 degrees warmer than Minnesota.
  • The average winter lows in Florida are 41 degrees warmer than they are in Minnesota.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Florida. Florida receives 20 more inches of rain compared to Minnesota.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Minnesota and Florida

ComparisonMinnesotaFlorida
Avg. Household Income$82,338$69,303
Cost of Living Index98.7597.8
State Income TaxUp to 9.85%0%
Avg. Property Tax1.15%0.89%
Avg. Sales Tax7.5%7.01%
Top 3 IndustriesHealthcare, Manufacturing, RetailTourism, Agriculture, Aerospace
AffluenceModerateVaried
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessManagedChallenging
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Florida tend to earn about 16% less than those in Minnesota
  • The COLI in Florida will be 1% lower than what you are used to living in Minnesota
  • Hooray, moving to FL means you'll no longer have state income taxes
  • The affluence in Florida is varied compared to moderate affluence in Minnesota
  • The poverty level is moderate in Florida compared to low in Minnesota
  • In terms of homelessness, it is managed in Minnesota and challenging in Florida

Political and Religious Climate in Minnesota vs. Florida

ComparisonMinnesotaFlorida
Political Make-upModerately LiberalMixed, with Conservative leanings
Local PoliticsDemocratic in urban areas, Republican in ruralRepublican in northern areas, Democratic in southern urban areas
ReligionMainly Protestant, with a significant Catholic minorityDiverse, with a larger evangelical Christian presence
  • Minnesota tends to lean moderately Liberal in its political climate
  • Florida, on the other hand, is often described as mixed with Conservative leanings
  • Florida's religious environment can be described as diverse with a larger evangelical Christian presence
  • Minnesota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mainly Protestant with a significant Catholic minority

Education Guide When Moving from Minnesota to Florida

ComparisonMinnesotaFlorida
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Minnesota
University of St. Thomas
Minnesota State University
University of Florida
Florida State University
University of Miami
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsScenic Heights Elementary (Minnetonka)
St. Croix Preparatory Academy Lower (Stillwater)
Deephaven Elementary (Minnetonka)
Pine View School (Osprey)
Doral Academy of Technology (Doral)
Okaloosa STES (Valparaiso)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsWayzata Central Middle School (Plymouth)
Minnetonka Middle School East (Minnetonka)
St. Croix Preparatory Academy Middle (Stillwater)
Bak Middle School of the Arts (West Palm Beach)
Archimedean Middle Conservatory (Miami)
Doral Academy Charter Middle School (Doral)
Top 3 High SchoolsWayzata High School (Plymouth)
Minnetonka Senior High (Minnetonka)
Edina Senior High (Edina)
Pine View School (Osprey)
School for Advanced Studies (SAS) (Miami)
Design and Architecture Senior High (DASH) (Miami)
Top 3 private high schoolsBreck School (Minneapolis)
Blake School (Minneapolis)
Minnehaha Academy (Minneapolis)
Ransom Everglades School (Miami)
Bolles School (Jacksonville)
American Heritage School (Plantation)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsBreck School (Minneapolis)
Blake School (Minneapolis)
Mounds Park Academy (Saint Paul)
Pine View School (Osprey)
American Heritage School (Plantation)
Gulliver Prep (Pinecrest)
Top 3 School DistrictsMinnetonka Public School District
Edina Public School District
Wayzata Public Schools
St. Johns County School District
Sarasota County Schools
Okaloosa County School District

How Much Do Minnesota to Florida Movers Cost?

Moving 1,782 miles from Minnesota to Florida will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 3-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Metro Movers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,213300 ft3$7.38
1 Bedroom$3,297450 ft3$7.33
2 Bedrooms$5,457750 ft3$7.28
3 Bedrooms$7,9481100 ft3$7.23
4 Bedrooms$11,4811600 ft3$7.18
5+ Bedrooms$12,8261800 ft3$7.13

Top Minnesota to Florida Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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
Metro Movers featured image

Metro Movers

9.51/10
ExceptionalView details