($1,382) Movers From Hartford, CT to Tampa, FL

What to know before moving from Hartford to Tampa

Moving from Hartford to Tampa comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Tampa is generally more expensive than Hartford, 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 45% higher than in Hartford, 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 Hartford.
  Home prices in Tampa are 125.6% higher than in Hartford.
• Income in Tampa is 6.0% lower than in Hartford, so you could earn less 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 55.0% higher than in Hartford. 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 56.4% higher than in Hartford.
• The unemployment rate in Tampa is 64.29% lower than in Hartford.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Tampa, since the city’s sales taxes in Tampa are 2.36% higher than in Hartford.
• One perk of moving to Tampa is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Hartford.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,650.36 in Tampa to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Hartford.

How life is different in Hartford vs. Tampa

• The population of Tampa is about 233% greater than Hartford, 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.
• Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Tampa will be about the same as it currently is in Hartford. The cities share a similar public transportation score, which means their transit systems are comparable in terms of how connected they are, how often they provide service, and how close they are to jobs, housing, retail and food stores, and other important locations.
• Tampa neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Hartford. Based on its score of 51 out of 100, Tampa isn’t as walkable as Hartford, which has a score of 67 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
• Tampa and Hartford are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 51 and 54 respectively. Bike-friendliness scores between 50 and 100 indicate varying levels of infrastructure to support cyclists, including bike lanes and roadway connectivity. Cities with scores under 50 are considered more car-dependent.
• Tampa has a lower crime rate than Hartford based on scores of 46.15 and Hartford's 63.75, 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 Hartford, based on Tampa’s safety index of 53.85 versus 36.25 for Hartford. 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 Hartford. Tampa has Good air quality, compared to moderate in Hartford. 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 Hartford 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