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Virginia to Florida Moving Guide

Updated June 19, 2025

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Planning a 825 mile interstate move from Virginia to Florida? This moving guide will help you compare living in Virginia vs Florida across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high taxes vs lower taxes), food & health (like Ham vs Key lime pie), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs spanish influence, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Virginia), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Ham and BBQ, but get your taste buds ready for Key lime pie & Cuban sandwich
  • Florida housing costs are 3% more expensive than they are in Virginia
  • Rent in Florida is 21.55% more expensive than in Virginia
  • Moving from Virginia to Florida will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
  • Our top recommended Virginia to Florida movers is Sebastian Moving and More

Virginia to Florida Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Virginia to Florida

ConsVirginia iconVirginia
  • High taxes
  • Cold winters
  • Traffic congestion
  • Limited beach access
  • High cost of living
ProsFlorida iconFlorida
  • Lower taxes
  • Warm climate
  • Beaches nearby
  • Vibrant nightlife
  • Affordable housing

Florida iconFlorida
  • Hurricane risk
  • Humidity
  • Hot summers
  • Tourist crowds
  • Flat landscapes
Virginia iconVirginia
  • Historical sights
  • Virginia wineries
  • Four seasons
  • Rich culture
  • Seasonal variety

Pros of moving from Virginia to Florida

  • Say goodbye to high taxes and hello to lower taxes
  • Look forward to moving away from cold winters and moving to Florida with a warm climate
  • Swap the traffic congestion of Virginia for beaches nearby in Florida
  • Get ready for vibrant nightlife in Florida

Cons of moving from Virginia to Florida

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from historical sights in Virginia to live with hurricane risk in Florida
  • You'll lose out on the pro of Virginia wineries and have to settle for the con of humidity
  • Time to bid farewell to four seasons and get used to hot summers in Florida
  • Swap rich culture for tourist crowds

Virginia vs. Florida: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonVirginiaFlorida
Most iconic local food itemHamKey lime pie
Most popular meat dishBBQCuban sandwich
Most popular street food itemOystersEmpanadas
Most popular vegan foodJackfruit BBQBlack bean burger
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Inn at Little Washington
  • L’Auberge Chez FranΓ§ois
  • Metzger Bar and Butchery
  • Joe's Stone Crab
  • Bern's Steak House
  • VERSAILLES RESTAURANT
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10)πŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10)🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene (out of 10)🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly (out of 10)🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Virginia to Florida, you will be trading the iconic Ham of Virginia for the equally delicious Key Lime Pie of Florida. And while the locals in Virginia rave about their flavorful BBQ and sumptuous Oysters, Florida residents know they have tasty Cuban Sandwich and Empanadas to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Jackfruit BBQ 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 Virginia eateries like The Inn at Little Washington, L’Auberge Chez FranΓ§ois, and Metzger Bar and Butchery. 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 Virginia. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Florida compared to what you are used to in Virginia. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Florida.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Virginia and Florida

ComparisonVirginiaFlorida
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, Cape CodSpanish Influence, 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 listingHardwood floors, Historic charmWaterfront, Open floor plans
  • The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Virginia is known for will be replaced with the Spanish influence and modern architecture typical of Florida.
  • Compared to Virginia's real estate listings, which commonly reference hardwood floors and historic charm, Florida real estate listings often highlight features like waterfront access and open floor plans.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Florida is more walkable than Virginia.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Florida is more bike-friendly than Virginia.
  • Florida has an equally urban feel to Virginia.
  • Florida housing costs are 3% more expensive than they are in Virginia, with a median home price of $397,137 compared to Virginia’s $385,780.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Florida have increased by 66% compared to a 42% increase in Virginia.
  • Rent in Florida is 21.55% more expensive than in Virginia.

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

ComparisonVirginiaFlorida
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, Nor'eastersHurricanes, Tropical Storms
Air QualityGood to ModerateModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F / 64Β°F90Β°F / 75Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)48Β°F / 29Β°F70Β°F / 48Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)44"53"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)10-20"0"
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Virginia to Florida. Florida gets 16% more sunshine days than Virginia.
  • Florida has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Virginia.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and nor'easters in Virginia, 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 5 degrees warmer than in Virginia.
  • The average winter lows are 19 degrees warmer than they are in Virginia.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Florida. Florida receives 9 more inches of rain compared to Virginia.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Virginia and Florida

ComparisonVirginiaFlorida
Avg. Household Income$85,873$69,303
Cost of Living Index96.697.8
State Income Tax5.75%0%
Avg. Property Tax0.80%0.83%
Avg. Sales Tax5.3%6%
Top 3 IndustriesTechnology, Government, AgricultureTourism, Agriculture, International Trade
AffluenceModerateVariable
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Florida tend to earn about 19% less than in Virginia
  • The COLI in Florida will be 1% higher than what you are used to living in Virginia
  • Hooray, moving to Florida means you'll no longer have state income taxes
  • The affluence in Florida is variable compared to moderate in Virginia
  • The poverty level is moderate in Florida compared to low in Virginia
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Virginia and moderate in Florida

Political and Religious Climate in Virginia vs. Florida

ComparisonVirginiaFlorida
Political Make-upModerately liberalMixed political leanings, trending conservative
Local PoliticsLocal governments tend to lean liberal, especially in urban areasLocal governments vary widely, with conservative leanings in rural areas and liberal in urban centers
ReligionChristianity predominant, diverse religious communities in metropolitan areasChristianity predominant, significant Catholic and Evangelical communities
  • Virginia tends to lean moderately liberal in its political climate
  • Florida, on the other hand, is often described as having mixed political leanings and trending conservative
  • Florida's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christianity with significant Catholic and Evangelical communities
  • Virginia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity with diverse religious communities in metropolitan areas

Education Guide When Moving from Virginia to Florida

ComparisonVirginiaFlorida
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Virginia
Virginia Tech
William & Mary
University of Florida
Florida State University
University of Miami
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsNuckols Farm Elementary (Henrico)
Arlington Science Focus School (Arlington)
Westbriar Elementary School (Vienna)
Pine View School (Osprey)
Doral Academy of Technology (Doral)
Freedom 7 Elementary School of International Studies (Cocoa Beach)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsLongfellow Middle School (Falls Church)
Lake Braddock Secondary School (Burke)
Frost Middle School (Fairfax)
Bak Middle School of the Arts (West Palm Beach)
Archimedean Middle Conservatory (Miami)
Pine View School (Osprey)
Top 3 High School SchoolsThomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (Alexandria)
Langley High School (McLean)
McLean High School (McLean)
Pine View School (Osprey)
School for Advanced Studies (Miami)
Stanton College Preparatory School (Jacksonville)
Top 3 private high schoolsThomas Jefferson School for Science and Technology (Alexandria)
The Potomac School (McLean)
St. Christopher's School (Richmond)
Ransom Everglades School (Coconut Grove)
The Bolles School (Jacksonville)
Berkeley Preparatory School (Tampa)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Potomac School (McLean)
St. Christopher's School (Richmond)
Collegiate School (Richmond)
Ransom Everglades School (Coconut Grove)
Pine Crest School (Fort Lauderdale)
The Bolles School (Jacksonville)
Top 3 School DistrictsFairfax County
Loudoun County
Falls Church City
Sarasota County
St. Johns County
Okaloosa County

How Much Do Virginia to Florida Movers Cost?

Moving 825 miles from Virginia to Florida 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 - $5,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Estes SureMove
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,420300 ft3$4.73
1 Bedroom$2,110450 ft3$4.69
2 Bedrooms$3,485750 ft3$4.65
3 Bedrooms$5,0651100 ft3$4.60
4 Bedrooms$7,3001600 ft3$4.56
5+ Bedrooms$8,1361800 ft3$4.52

Top Virginia to Florida Movers

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

9.72/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
ARS Movers featured image

ARS Movers

9.64/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
A Change of Place Movers

A Change of Place Movers

9.59/10
ExceptionalView details