($1,614) Movers From Mesa, AZ to Tampa, FL

What to know before moving from Mesa to Tampa

Moving from Mesa to Tampa comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Tampa is generally more expensive than Mesa, 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 8% higher than in Mesa, 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 Tampa.
  Home prices in Tampa are 14.2% lower than in Mesa.
• Income in Tampa is 3.5% higher than in Mesa, 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 33.8% higher than in Mesa. 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 45.7% higher than in Mesa.
• The unemployment rate in Tampa is 18.03% lower than in Mesa.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Tampa, since the city’s sales taxes in Tampa are 21.69% lower than in Mesa.
• One perk of moving to Tampa is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Mesa.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,013.25 in Tampa to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Mesa.

How life is different in Mesa vs. Tampa

• Tampa might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 20% less than Mesa.
• Tampa offers better access to buses and trains than Mesa, based on public transportation ratings. Tampa has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 4 in Mesa. 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 Mesa. Tampa is considered more walkable than Mesa, with a score of 51 out of 100 versus 38 out of 100 in Mesa. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• You probably won’t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Tampa, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Mesa. While Mesa has a bike-friendliness score of 60 out of 100, Tampa earned a 51. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
• You can anticipate the same crime rate in Tampa as Mesa. With the crime index, lower scores are better because they indicate less crime. Cities with scores of 20 or below, for example, have much fewer instances of crime than those with scores of 80–100.
• Tampa is generally as safe as Mesa, according to their similar safety index ratings. The ratings are based on how comfortable residents feel about walking alone during the daytime and nighttime and the number of small crimes like theft and muggings.
• The air quality in Tampa and Mesa is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

Other things to consider for your Mesa 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