Moving to Florida: Helpful Tips and Statistics
Turning a favorite vacation spot—like Florida—into your full-time residence comes with its fair share of complications. However, planning your move ahead of time can help minimize any detours that prevent you from enjoying your new surroundings.
We analyzed data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Zillow, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the Florida Department of Education to uncover tips and helpful statistics for anyone moving to Florida. Our analysis addresses many common concerns when relocating to the Sunshine State, from finding affordable places to live and preparing for hurricanes to exploring the job market and capitalizing on the state’s robust tourism.
Due to Florida’s popularity among varying interests and age groups, streamlining your move across state lines shouldn’t be a hassle with the best Florida moving companies. Tap into their experience by comparing rates and selecting services that help you start your extended vacation—or move—sooner.
Key Takeaways
- Florida had the second-highest net gain in population in 2023, with more than 351,000 new residents since 2022, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
- New York, Georgia, and California had the most people moving to Florida, per the U.S. Census Bureau.
- Despite no state income tax, Florida ranks in the bottom 20 for cost of living, according to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center.
- Palatka, Lake City, and Sebring are three of the cheapest cities in Florida, with low home values and rent costs, per Zillow.
How Many People Are Moving to Florida?
From 2022 to 2023, Florida’s population grew by 351,566 people to reach nearly 22.4 million residents, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Texas gained 463,100 residents during that time and was the only state to outrank Florida in population growth.
Florida migration trends also reveal that over 510,000 residents left the state in 2023, largely moving to Georgia (55,250 people), Texas (50,513 people), and North Carolina (39,931 people). A total of 71,138 New Yorkers, 44,469 Georgia residents, and 39,052 Californians—from the top three states to boost Florida’s population growth—moved to the Sunshine State in 2023.
What To Know Before Moving to Florida
Florida’s reputation as a tropical getaway entices tourists, but year-round residents in the Sunshine State experience more than just sandy beaches. Hurricanes are the downside to balmy weather and can significantly affect home insurance premiums. Florida is also home to several distinguished K–12 schools and universities that prepare the future workforce for a wide range of thriving industries and tourist-focused attractions.
Hurricane Season
Hurricanes affect the entire state of Florida, not just the coastlines where they make landfall. According to Florida State University’s Florida Climate Center, the Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June 1 to November 30, with the peak spanning from mid-August to late October.
The 2024 hurricane season saw several memorable storms, including Hurricane Debby in early August (Category 1), Hurricane Helene in late September (Category 4), and Hurricane Milton in October (Category 5). Strong hurricane winds exceeding 155 miles per hour often create a storm surge, driving excess water onto land and raising water levels by up to 25 feet. Heavy rainfall increases the chances of flooding and death by drowning.
Florida residents can prepare for a hurricane by developing and practicing a Family Emergency Communication Plan. This plan should include emergency contacts, meeting places, and essential medical information in case family members require treatment. Residents can also sign up to receive emergency alerts to quickly respond to severe weather conditions.
Preparations should also include assembling a hurricane preparedness kit, per the University of Central Florida. Key elements in these emergency kits include water, non-perishable food items, a first-aid kit, personal hygiene materials, and a cutting device. Keep your car’s gas tank topped off during hurricane season, and avoid driving through flooded areas should you encounter them.
Home Insurance Premiums
In Florida, the average homeowner’s insurance premium is roughly $3,600, according to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR). In the past, abusive claims practices drove up rates due to excessive legal fees. However, the state recently introduced new legislation to reduce fraudulent claims and approved eight new homeowners insurance companies, increasing consumer options and fostering competitive pricing.
Some homeowners insurance companies don’t provide or are reducing coverage in Florida, including the following:
- AAA
- AIG
- Bankers Insurance
- Farmers
- Nationwide Insurance
- Progressive
- Southern Fidelity
Current homeowners can find affordable home insurance by comparing estimates, adjusting coverage levels, and capitalizing on discounts. Prospective homebuyers should incorporate homeowners insurance premiums into the overall cost of homeownership for each short-listed property. According to the Insurance Information Institute, factors that contribute to homeowners insurance premiums include the following characteristics of a home:
- Age
- Construction quality
- Current state
- Distance from the coast
- Size
Additional features like a swimming pool or hot tub can also increase homeowners insurance premiums. If you’re curious about a home’s past insurance claims, request a Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE) report from LexisNexis or an A-PLUS property report from Verisk. Review the documented claims and corresponding incidents to ensure the home was repaired properly.
Education
In 2024, the Center for Education Reform named the Sunshine State first in its Parent Power Index. According to the Florida Department of Education, more than 2.8 million students attended school in Florida during the 2023–2024 school year, with Hispanic (37.2%), White (34.4%), and Black/African American (20.9%) students comprising the top three ethnicities.
During the 2023–2024 school year, 1,296 schools of the 4,046 traditional public and public charter schools achieved an “A” grade, per the Florida Department of Education. This “A” rating—the highest a school can achieve—indicates high student performance in English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. Since 2015, the number of “D” and “F” schools has declined by 79%, according to the Florida Department of Education.
When deciding where to purchase a house, consider researching the best schools in the surrounding area with the Florida School Mapping Tool. Enter the school district, zip code, school, or city to get started. Compare and contrast nearby schools to determine the best learning environment for your children.
Job Market
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 463,000 job openings in Florida in October 2024, an increase of 58,000 openings from the previous month. In November 2024, a total of 10,639,000 Floridians were employed, while 375,600 were unemployed, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. November’s unemployment rate increased to 3.4% after remaining at 3.3% from June through October.
Publix Super Markets, Walmart, Walt Disney Co., Amazon, and Home Depot are top employers in the Sunshine State, according to Redfin. Major industries thriving in Florida also include the following:
- Commercial banking
- Drugs, cosmetics, and toiletries
- Gas and petroleum
- Grocery stores
- Health care
- Insurance (health and medical)
- New car dealers
- Public education
- Wireless telecommunication carriers
- Workforce management services
Job seekers have several options regarding work in Florida, from seasonal gigs to year-round employment. For instance, several cruise lines and luxury hotels cater to vacationers, not to mention the popular Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. A common destination for snowbirds and retirees, Florida also supports flourishing health care and technical industries.
Tourism
A total of 109.706 million people—including 100.884 million domestic, 6.377 million overseas, and 2.446 million Canadian tourists—visited Florida in the first three quarters of 2024, according to Visit Florida Research. Tourism to Florida increased by 1.8% in 2024 from the year prior. The Sunshine State received the most visitors—40.554 million people—in the first quarter of 2024.
Florida’s booming tourism industry can affect homeowners in several ways, both positively and negatively. Demand for housing can increase property values and rental prices in popular areas, reducing affordability for renters and prospective buyers but enabling established homeowners to reap the benefits of an appreciating asset. Supplementary income from vacation rentals can also fluctuate throughout the year.
What Is the Cost of Living in Florida?
According to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC), Florida’s cost of living index is 102.4 for the third quarter of 2024. A cost of living index over 100—the national baseline—indicates it’s more expensive to live in that state. For example, New York’s cost of living index is 123.4, while California’s is 144.7. Florida ranks in the bottom 20 for cost of living.
Digging further into the cost of living in Florida reveals the following statistics:
- Zillow data reveals that the average home value is $389,387.
- Florida’s $2,400 median rent is 20% ($400) higher than the national median rent, according to Zillow.
- Annual utility bills cost $3,310 a year alone—and that’s only including the necessities, like electric, gas, water, and cable, per our analysis of data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, RentCafe, and Allconnect.
- From 2020–2021, Florida residents experienced the third-largest increase—15.6%—in personal consumption expenditures (PCE) among all states, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA).
- Florida’s per capita PCE also exceeded the national per capita PCE by $2,774, reaching $50,689 per the BEA.
Floridians benefit from a lack of personal income tax, but budgeting for the elevated cost of living can still prove challenging. Start by paring down your expenses, separating necessities from wants. Eating meals at home, carpooling, and reducing your energy use can also help you afford the cost of living in Florida.
Cheapest Cities To Live in Florida
Palatka, Wauchula, and Sebring are the three cheapest Floridian cities for home values, according to Zillow. Several of the cities with the most inexpensive home values also rank among the most affordable cities to rent, including Palatka, Lake City, and Sebring. Discover more of the cheapest cities to live in Florida using the chart below:
| Cheapest Cities To Buy | Average Home Values | Cheapest Cities To Rent | Average Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palatka, FL | $210,550.13 | Lake City, FL | $1,470.83 |
| Wauchula, FL | $222,464.72 | Tallahassee, FL | $1,473.42 |
| Sebring, FL | $240,992.70 | Sebring, FL | $1,482.45 |
| Arcadia, FL | $251,195.89 | Ocala, FL | $1,603.76 |
| Lake City, FL | $260,361.51 | Palatka, FL | $1,659.83 |
| Clewiston, FL | $271,901.74 | Gainesville, FL | $1,685.29 |
| Tallahassee, FL | $276,008.56 | Okeechobee, FL | $1,700.00 |
| Okeechobee, FL | $276,510.59 | Jacksonville, FL | $1,706.37 |
| Ocala, FL | $278,009.12 | Pensacola, FL | $1,743.06 |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | $278,987.41 | Panama City, FL | $1,746.62 |
How To Save Money When Moving to Florida
Moving to Florida can be costly, but you can control your expenditures by creating a moving budget. Account for any moving-related costs you can think of, from the packing supplies you’ll need to the meals you’re likely to eat out as you move into your new residence. Use the tips below to maximize your budget when moving to the Sunshine State:
- Save any boxes you receive in the mail or ask friends and relatives to contribute unused boxes.
- Relocate during the off-season (between November and April).
- Consider moving your belongings yourself.
- Shop around and compare quotes to find the best cheap moving companies.
- Donate or sell items you no longer want or need.
Call ahead to begin services to avoid unexpected utility startup fees or delays. If the move-out and move-in timelines don’t quite match up, use short-term and vacation rentals to bridge the gap. Staying with nearby relatives can also help minimize move-in costs.
Our Conclusion
Relocating to Florida can open the door to many new possibilities, from continuing your education to establishing a new career. Regardless of where you come from, use our foolproof guide to moving for a seamless transition.
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