($1,426) Movers From Little Rock, AR to Tampa, FL

What to know before moving from Little Rock to Tampa

Moving from Little Rock to Tampa comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Tampa is generally more expensive than Little Rock, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Tampa are 76% higher than in Little Rock, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Little Rock.
  Home prices in Tampa are 77.6% higher than in Little Rock.
• Income in Tampa is 17.3% higher than in Little Rock, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Tampa include Bloomin' Brands, Sykes Enterprises, and OSI Restaurant Partners.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Tampa, since the cost of living for a single person in Tampa is 84.1% higher than in Little Rock. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Tampa, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Tampa is 95.4% higher than in Little Rock.
• The unemployment rate in Tampa is 15.25% lower than in Little Rock.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Tampa, since the city’s sales taxes in Tampa are 24.68% lower than in Little Rock.
• One perk of moving to Tampa is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Little Rock.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $5,521.64 in Tampa to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Little Rock.

How life is different in Little Rock vs. Tampa

• The population of Tampa is about 99% greater than Little Rock, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
• Tampa offers better access to buses and trains than Little Rock, based on public transportation ratings. Tampa has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 3 in Little Rock. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in Tampa means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Little Rock. Tampa is considered more walkable than Little Rock, with a score of 51 out of 100 versus 33 out of 100 in Little Rock. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, Tampa is considered more bike-friendly than Little Rock in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Tampa has a bike-friendliness score of 51 out of 100, while Little Rock is rated as 32 out of 100.
• Tampa has a lower crime rate than Little Rock based on scores of 46.15 and Little Rock's 60.06, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Tampa than in Little Rock, based on Tampa’s safety index of 53.85 versus 39.94 for Little Rock. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• You can breathe easy knowing that Tampa has better air quality than in Little Rock. Tampa has Good air quality, compared to moderate in Little Rock. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.

Other things to consider for your Little Rock vs. Tampa move

• Weather: Tampa's climate generally features hot and humid summers with frequent thunderstorms and dry and mild winters. Tampa seldom feels major effects from tropical storms or hurricanes.
• HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
• Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
• State licensing: Individuals and companies engaging in for-profit local and intrastate moving within the Sunshine State must register each year with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – Division of Consumer Services. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a Florida moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Florida does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Tampa. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.Released Value Protection stands out as a cost-effective choice, provided by movers at no extra expense, although it comes with limited coverage. In this option, the mover's liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. To ensure comprehensive coverage matching the full value of your items, consult with your chosen moving company about alternative options or explore third-party insurance providers. Secure the best protection for your belongings during the move with these tailored coverage choices.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Tampa

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Big Guava", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Tampa.

Helpful moving resources