Recent migration data in the US show that more people are moving to the south than moving away from the south. According to the Census Bureau, the south enjoys a total inflow of about 1.2 million people annually with about 356K being from the Midwest.
New York, Georgia, and Texas account for the most people moving to Florida. The trend is clear.
Lots of people are moving from Midwest states such as Ohio to Florida. In fact, more than 500K Ohio natives now call Florida their new home. If you want to join them, this guide to making the move will cover costs and considerations.Before you get started, check out these articles to help you make the smoothest transition from Ohio to Florida.
- How much will your move cost?: This cost calculator will provide an immediate free moving quote of what your move should cost. Just plug in your moving dates, your move size, where you’re moving to/from, and let the calculator do the rest.
- The best Miami neighborhoods: Have your heart set on Miami? Here are the best neighborhoods to consider.
How Much Does it Cost to Move from Ohio to Florida?
Your cost of moving from the state of Ohio to the state of Florida will mainly depend on several factors.
These include:
- How much stuff you need to transport, or how large your property is
- The mode of moving you choose to use
Here are probable estimate costs when we compare the most available moving options with the most common household sizes:
| Home Size | Moving Company | Moving Container | Freight Company | Truck Rental |
| Studio/ 1 bedroom | $2,525 – $5,800 | $1,726 – $2,330 | $1,235 – $2,025 | $877 – $1,212 |
| 2 – 3 bedroom | $3,020 – $7,250 | $2,193 – $3,494 | $1,663 – $2,633 | $923 – $1,424 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,950 – $9,500 | $2,928 – $4,369 | $2,043 – $2,835 | $1,168 – $1,705 |
Note: The above ranges are only rough estimates.
Why do moving costs vary so much?
The table in the previous section shows you the moving cost ranges for: a studio or 1 bedroom; 2-3 bedrooms; and 4 or more bedrooms. You can see how the prices change as you move from one mode of moving to another. Using a moving company is the most expensive, followed by moving containers, freight companies, and truck rentals.
Why do movers charge so differently?
The costs are different because each mode of moving offers you a diverse range of services:
Truck rentals only offer you a vehicle, so you have to do the transportation, loading, unloading, packing, disassembly, furniture arrangement, and other services. This is why they are the cheapest.
Freight companies offer you transportation and space within a truck where you pay as per the weight and space your goods take up. For that, you get to spend a little more. You have to do the packing, unpacking, furniture assembly, and disassembly on your own.
With moving containers, you get transportation and an exclusive space for your goods alone. For that exclusive accommodation, you have to pay a little more. The company doesn’t offer packing, unpacking, loading, unloading, assembly, disassembly, or furniture arrangement.
With moving companies, you get transportation, a dedicated truck, packing & unpacking services, disassembly and reassembly, packing materials, loading and loading, and sometimes even furniture arrangement and other allied services. That is why you get to pay the most with this option.
Why are there price ranges even within a given type of mover?
The price ranges you see on that table show the margins under which your Ohio to Florida cross-country move could fall. You might either pay the lower price range, the higher price range, or anywhere in between. Your final moving cost will depend on the actual mover you hire, as well as the actual weight of your household goods.
But beyond that, moving costs fluctuate all year round, even if you’re looking at a specific long-distance mover who offers a particular mode of moving. This is because of a few other factors besides weight and mode of moving.
They include:
Inbound vs. outbound traffic
More people are moving to the Sunshine State (inbound) than there are moving out (outbound). This means that the demand and prices for movers headed to FL are higher than those headed out. For that reason, moving to FL is bound to fall on the higher side of cost estimates.
In Ohio, outbound and inbound moves are pretty much the same. So you won’t pay more or less either way.
Time of the year
Most moves take place during Summer. The demand for movers and trucks is therefore high at this time. This means your cost ranges will be up during this period. In the same way, moving costs are likely to be lower during Spring or Fall.
Weekends
Weekends are quite busy too when it comes to moving. So as you can already guess, weekend moves will cost more than weekday moves. And that cost will be even higher if the weekend is during Summer as compared to Fall or Spring.
Special holidays and events
Special holidays and events further compound the situation. Traffic is especially bad on such occasions because most people are traveling. Most people will also choose to relocate at this time, especially if it’s a long weekend. And to further complicate the situation, some movers will be off work during such holidays so the demand for moving workers and trucks will be quite high.
Holidays or events in Ohio during Summer that you should watch out for:
- Stonewall Columbus Pride Festival – June 19
- Ohio State Fair –July 28 – to August 8
- Dublin Irish Festival – August 5-8
- Columbus Food Truck Festival – Late August
- Jazz & Rib Fest – July 22- 24
- Cincinnati Music Festival – Late July
Holidays or events in Florida during Summer that you should watch out for:
- Pensacola Beach Air Show – July
- Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam – June
- Fiesta of Five Flags – Early June
Note: Remember to consider national holidays as well.
Use our handy moving cost calculator to get personalized Ohio to Florida moving costs. Input the exact cities you’re moving to and from, then select your moving date and household size to see more accurate figures tailored just for your move!
Why people are moving out of Ohio:
The Midwest lost about 1.3 million people between 2010 to 2017, according to data from the Census Bureau. Between 2018 and 2019, Ohio lost 13K people domestically. The trend has continued with Ohio being one of the top 10 states people were leaving in 2021. Plus, more people left than state than move there again in 2022.
Some of the top reasons for this include:
- Limited job opportunities and a slow economy.
- State income tax (1-5%).
- Higher property taxes (1.37%).
- Harsh winters.
- Heavy rainfall.
- Cost of living
Why people are moving into Florida:
In the last few years, Florida has been enjoying heavy inflows of people annually, even beating CA, which has been experiencing an exodus of sorts lately. Each year, thousands of people moved to Florida – often at the highest rate in the country.
Some of the reasons for this include:
- Warm weather all year
- Better work opportunities and a growing job market
- Better education prospects with many of universities to choose from
- More recreational opportunities
- Diverse culture
- More entertainment options
- Popular theme parks like Universal Studios and Disneyworld
- Florida residents pay zero state income tax
- Beautiful beaches on the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean
Why people are moving from Ohio to Florida:
Despite having a lower cost of living and crime rate, people move from Ohio to Florida every year.
The top reasons that people relocating from OH to FL cite include:
- Better weather all year round.
- More employment opportunities.
- No state income tax.
- A more liberal and vibrant culture
- More fun things to do – nightlife, food, entertainment, beaches, water sports, hiking, etc
- Better education prospects.
What are some of the best places to move to in Florida?
Are you wondering where to settle down in FL? We understand. Florida has many inviting locations. Here are some of the top ones:
Tampa
With a population of 387K, Tampa is one of the larger major cities in FL. It’s relatively affordable with fair housing and living costs. The area is safe, has good job growth rates, a diverse culture, urban living amenities, beaches, nightlife, dining locations, water sports, and a young professional populace. Watch out for the heavy traffic, though.
Naples
With only 22K residents, Naples is one of the highly sought-after locations In FL. It’s a high-end city with lovely beaches, golf courses, shopping centers, art galleries, excellent restaurants, good education, and low crime rates.
Naples features plenty of businesses, shops, and beautiful sunsets, making it an excellent spot for families.
Sarasota
Sarasota has a population of about 60K residents. It has many retirees, and tourism is common. Although it’s pricey to live here, the city is known for its job opportunities, a rich culture, great beaches, fine dining, outdoor activities, good education, great health services, universities, colleges, retirees, water sports, and relaxed living.
Pensacola
This Florida town has a population of about 53,000. Although Pensacola was previously relatively affordable, property here is now getting expensive. Tourism is not very heavy here so the area is calm and there’s no heavy traffic. Pensacola boasts a rich history and a quiet, relaxed atmosphere. It’s perfect for fishing, getaways, or vacations. Watch out for Hurricane season!
Fort Myers
With a population of 82K, Fort Myers is another good place to move into. It has great beaches, good food, art amenities, and superb medical facilities. You can also enjoy vibrant water sports, fishing, and boat living. It’s a retirees’ haven for sure. However, there’s not a lot of job growth, and there’s crime in some areas.
Jacksonville
With a population of 900K, Jacksonville, FL, is one of the largest metros in the state. This city has good job opportunities, affordable housing, low cost of living, good education, water sports, restaurants, parks, and family fun activities. On the downside, crime is an issue here.
Honorable mentions:
Fort Lauderdale, Melbourne, Cape Coral, Miami, Palm Beach, Daytona Beach, and Orlando.
Final Thoughts
Moving from Ohio to Florida is definitely a good decision. With this move, you can look forward to great weather all year round, a more vibrant lifestyle, and better employment opportunities.
You now know why other people are moving to the Buckeye state, how much different moving options will cost you, and some of the best places to live once you get there.