Moving from Boston to Florida - Expert Tips and Advice (2023)

Tired of the gloomy and intense winters of Boston? Then the sunny weather of Florida might just cheer you up. It’s not nicknamed ‘The Sunshine State’ for nothing! Surely Boston has great nightlife, museums and art galleries, and tons of other things to do. But Florida also isn’t behind when it comes to pristine beaches and restaurants that will make you fall in love with the place instantly.

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Let’s be realistic, planning a move can be tedious. After all, there are so many things you need to take care of, especially if you’re moving to a new state. Florida certainly seems to tick off all the boxes when it comes to scenic beauty and tourist attractions. But there are a lot more things to know before you plan your move to ‘The Sunshine State’. Read our guide on moving from Boston to Florida and you’ll get to know what Florida is all about.

Factors To Consider Before Moving From Boston To Florida

Weather Conditions

The weather in Boston transitions between two climates, a humid subtropical climate and a humid continental climate. The overall temperature in the city is moderated by its close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. On the other hand, Florida experiences a humid subtropical climate towards the north of Lake Okeechobee and a humid subtropical climate towards the south of the Lake.

Speaking of weather, summers in Boston are warm and humid where the residents choose to enjoy a red sox game or sometimes a concert at Fenway Park. In Florida, summers are very hot and humid with frequent thunderstorms and showers throughout the state. This is the best time for its residents to explore the beaches to beat the summer heat.

Here’s the difference in temperature that you can expect during peak summers:

• Boston in July - Average temperature ranges from 66°F to 82°F.
• Florida in July - Average temperature ranges from 62°F to 82°F.

Boston has extremely cold winters, especially in areas towards the coastal areas. So warm coats, good boots, and gloves are a must here. But if you’re planning a move from Boston to Florida, you’ll have to sell all your winter garments for sure. That’s because winters in Florida are mild and so the residents here can wear short-sleeved garments all year round.

Here’s the difference in temperature that you can expect during peak winters:

• Boston in January - Average temperature ranges from 24°F to 37°F.
• Florida in January - Average temperature ranges from 52°F to 68°F.

Few Things To Bear In Mind About Florida Weather:

• During summers, the humidity goes up to almost 100°F. July is considered to be the hottest month here when humidity is severe, especially in the mornings.
• Florida experiences a wet season in the months between May and October. This is the time when the state is known to have frequent tornadoes, damaging winds, and even flooding.
• The months between August and October are considered to be the hurricane months in Florida.
• Florida is also known as the ‘Lightning Capital of the United States’. That’s because the thunderstorms in the state also bring along lightning strikes here.

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Cost Of Living

Cost of living is one of the many important things you need to take into consideration before making a move to a new place. Things like your housing costs, food, healthcare, etc can be considered as your basic living costs that you’ll have to meet. Boston can be considered an expensive city to live in as it’s an important part of Massachusetts. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the cost of living in Massachusetts is almost 9.7% higher than the national average. So, you can expect to spend a considerable amount of money on your living expenses in Boston as it’s the capital city of Massachusetts.

In Florida, the state’s overall cost of living is just 0.6% higher than the national average as per the Bureau of Economic Analysis. So, you can rest assured that you won’t have a huge hole in your pockets as the state’s living expenses are quite affordable.

See also: 15 Cheap States to Move to: The Lowest Cost of Living States in the US

Buying A House

If a place has a good real estate market, you can definitely consider buying a house there. However, in Boston city, the housing market is on the expensive side. Florida in comparison has affordable housing options and so you can breathe a sigh of relief if you’re planning to move from Boston to Florida.

Here’s a quick overview of the median house price in both places:

• Median House Cost in Boston - $718,756
• Median House Cost in Florida - $356,349

Renting A House

Not everyone can afford to buy a house and we totally understand that. But don’t let that deter you from planning your move. You can always choose to rent an apartment or a house within your budget. As mentioned above, the real estate market in Florida is much cheaper than in Boston city.

Here’s a quick overview of the median rent in both places:

• Monthly Median Rent in Boston - $3,549
• Monthly Median Rent in Florida - $1,790

Utilities

Let’s not forget your essential utility costs now that we’re speaking about your cost of living in both places. We’ve compiled your basic utility costs in both places as per the data shared by 24/7 Wall St. Starting with your food expenses, if you’re a single adult in Boston, you can expect to annually pay around $3,742 and the same would be around $3,411 in Florida. The national average is $3,544 and so Boston certainly is more expensive than Florida and the national average. For a family of four, the food expenditure in Boston is $10,807 and the same is around $9,850 in Florida. The national average stands at $9,354 and it’s clearly evident that both Boston and Florida are on the expensive side.

Healthcare is another priority that you shouldn’t neglect when understanding your cost of living in a particular area. If you’re a single adult, you’ll spend $3,152 in Boston and $4,213 in Florida on an annual basis. So, healthcare costs in both Boston and Florida are more or less close to the national average expenditure of $4,266.

When it comes to transportation costs, considering the costs for public transit, gas, and the maintenance of your car, you can expect to spend around $6,540 annually in Boston city. In Florida, your average transportation costs can come up to $9,188 annually. However, this average is for the entire Sunshine State and your expenses might differ based on the city and neighborhood you choose to reside in.

Job Market

Boston is known for its rapidly growing economy that is largely dominated by the biotechnology, tourism, and finance sectors. It has an unemployment rate of 6.2% which is slightly higher than the national average of 6.0% as per BestPlaces. Speaking of the economy in Florida, the state is known to have the industries of tourism, healthcare, aerospace, and defense as the major contributors to the overall economy. The state has an unemployment rate of only 5.3%, which is lower than the national average of 6.0% as shared by BestPlaces.

Here are some of the major companies that operate in Florida:

• Publix
• SFN Group
• Navarro Discount Pharmacies
• Darden Restaurants
• Southeastern Grocers
• Tyco Integrated Security
• G4S Secure Solutions

To help you understand what your annual income could look like, we’ve listed down the median household income in both Boston and Florida:

• Median Household Income in Boston - $54,485
• Median Household Income in Florida - $47,212

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Transportation

In terms of transportation, Boston is known to have one of the best transportation systems in the US. A majority of the residents of the city use public transportation, especially the rail and bus networks that are largely managed by MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority). Compared to Boston city, Florida as a state has a very limited amount of transportation options. The state has several buses and trolleys that can help you get around within the state.

You can avail of the following transportation options to get in and around Florida:

• Greyhound and Megabus (buses to Miami, Orlando, West Palm Beach)
• Amtrak Brightline (train services that offer interstate tours)
• Florida Shuttle Transportation
• Key West Express (Fort Myers, Marco Island, and other southern parts)
• Boatseller, Sailo, Get My Boat (boat rentals)

Florida’s Strong Points

• Zero state income tax
• Pristine beaches
• Laidback lifestyle
• Plenty of entertainment options
• Diverse population
• Thriving job market
• Tons of recreational activities
• Great sports culture

Top Cities To Move To In Florida

Naples

Naples resides along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico and is a part of Collier County. The city is known to be a great touristy town and also the perfect place for retirees. First of all, the city has sunshine days that give it a vacation vibe. There are tons of exotic restaurants, golf courses, and pristine beaches here that add to the beauty of the place. In terms of its economy, Naples is known to have a thriving job market. Some of the most popular tourist attractions of the city are Naples Pier, Naples Zoo, and Monkey Island.

Median Value Of Homes: $524,557

Monthly Median Rent: $2,252

Tampa

If you’re looking for an affordable place to live in Florida, you should consider living in Tampa. One of the best things about living here is that the city gives you both a relaxed lifestyle and modern city-like amenities. So, you have many restaurants, museums, and professional sports teams in the city for your entertainment. The city is also home to some major companies like TECO Energy, WellCare, Sykes Enterprises, etc. Tampa is also a good place for families to move to because of the numerous parks and recreational activities in the city.

Median Value Of Homes: $374,697

Monthly Median Rent: $1,762

Sarasota

Sarasota is one of the most stunning cities in Florida. It is filled with several orchestras, beautiful beaches, opera museums, and blues artists. Here, you’ll find diversity in the culture. Whether it’s food, craft beers, or parks, the city has many things to offer its residents. If you’re looking for real estate options here, then you should definitely consider living in the Rosemary district of the city. Some of the best places for dining are Siesta Key Village and St. Armands Circle.

Median Value Of Homes: $430,551

Monthly Median Rent: $2,131

Orlando

Orlando is one of the biggest and most popular cities in Florida. And why not? After all, the city is home to the Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, and Universal Studios Florida which are among the top tourist attractions here. Orlando is also known for its good transportation system. Apart from that, sports fans will love staying here as the city has several baseball, ice hockey, and soccer teams here. The city is also home to the renowned University of Central Florida which is the largest institution here.

Median Value Of Homes: $345,541

Monthly Median Rent: $1,733

Fort Myers

Fort Myers or ‘The City of Palms’ is another affordable city in Florida. The city has plenty of gorgeous beaches, restaurants, golf courses, and many theaters for your entertainment. Fort Myers is also considered to be one of the best places to retire in Florida. That’s because the city has many recreational activities like boating, fishing, hiking, pickleball, etc. The downtown area of the city is known for its markets and popular golf courses like Eastwood Golf Course.

Median Value of Homes: $336,434

Monthly Median Rent: $1,672

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Things To Take Care Of When You’re Moving From Boston To Florida

• To give you an insight into the distance for your travel from Boston city to Florida, the distance is almost 1,360 miles. For such a long distance move, it’s best you seek help from a professional moving company to pack and move your belongings.
• When hiring a moving company, don’t forget to check out whether the company is legitimate. For that, you can find out whether the company is licensed and insured and check its reviews on Better Business Bureau and Google Reviews.
• The services and costs for long distance moves differ according to different companies. So make sure that you get at least 3 moving quotes and then decide which company works best for your move.
• Another important thing to consider is the date, time, and exact location of your move. See to it that you give the correct address to your movers so that they reach your destination on time. And don’t forget to check for weather conditions and traffic congestion in your new neighborhood so that you keep your movers informed.

Boston To Florida Moving Costs

Long distance moves can get expensive and since the distance from Boston to Florida is almost 1,360 miles, you’ll need movers to transport your belongings. Your average cost for moving from Boston to Florida will fall in the bracket of $3,000 to $5,000. Do keep in mind that this cost can increase or decrease depending on the services you ask for.

The date and time of your move will also influence your overall moving costs. For example, if you choose to move during the peak season, be ready to spend a few extra bucks for your move. Otherwise, the best thing to do is plan your move during the off-season. That’s the time when you can even avail of various discounts from your movers.

When planning your move, an ideal thing to do would be to make a budget and an inventory of your house well in advance. This will give you an idea of the kind of packing materials you need and the services you can ask for from your movers. Your inventory will come to your aid when you need full value protection for your items, especially valuables like jewelry and other important documents.

Summing Up

Boston is a great city, especially in terms of job opportunities and a good standard of living. One of the things its residents have to bear with is the harsh weather conditions during winters. That’s why Florida is one of the best places to live if you want to enjoy summers all year long. Let’s not forget that there are plenty of recreational activities in the state. If you think you can afford to live in Florida, then you can take our help to choose the best movers for executing your move.

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FAQs On Moving From Boston To Florida

How Much Are Movers From Boston To Florida?

Your move from Boston to Florida will be a long distance one. So, considering all your moving expenses like packing, labor, and transportation, your average moving cost will fall in the range of $3,000 to $4,000. Also, the kind of services you ask for and the time of your move will also determine the final cost of your move.

See also: Best Moving Companies in Boston

Will Florida Pay You To Move There?

No, Florida doesn’t pay you to move there. But, if you choose to move to Florida, you don’t have to pay any state income tax. Some of the perks of living in Florida are gorgeous beaches, affordable houses, and warm weather almost throughout the year.

How Much Money Do You Need To Live Comfortably In Florida?

The average salary of a single resident in Florida is around $23,499 annually. But, this is still less than the national average of $28,550. So, apart from covering your basic living expenses, if you want to live comfortably in the state, you’ll need a salary that falls in the range of $50,000 to $60,000 annually.