($1,487) Movers From Lexington, KY to Tampa, FL

What to know before moving from Lexington to Tampa

Moving from Lexington to Tampa comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Tampa is generally more expensive than Lexington, 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 44% higher than in Lexington, 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 Lexington.
  Home prices in Tampa are 20.1% higher than in Lexington.
• Income in Tampa is 8.6% higher than in Lexington, 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 4.3% higher than in Lexington. 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 94.4% higher than in Lexington.
• The unemployment rate in Tampa is 16.28% higher than in Lexington.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Tampa, since the city’s sales taxes in Tampa are 8.33% higher than in Lexington.
• One perk of moving to Tampa is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Lexington.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,127.74 in Tampa to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Lexington.

How life is different in Lexington vs. Tampa

• The population of Tampa is about 26% greater than Lexington, 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 Lexington, based on public transportation ratings. Tampa has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 4 in Lexington. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Tampa neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Lexington. Based on its score of 51 out of 100, Tampa isn’t as walkable as Lexington, which has a score of 90 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.
• You probably won’t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Tampa, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Lexington. While Lexington has a bike-friendliness score of 85 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.
• Tampa has a lower crime rate than Lexington based on scores of 46.15 and Lexington's 50.88, 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 Lexington, based on Tampa’s safety index of 53.85 versus 49.12 for Lexington. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• The air quality in Tampa and Lexington 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 Lexington 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: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
• Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
• 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.Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
• State regulator: You can check the status of a Florida moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Florida doesn\’t require moving permits, but it\’s still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
• Change of address: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You’ll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to Tampa. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry.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: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.

Where to live in Tampa

Ready to relocate to "Big Guava"? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Tampa.

Helpful moving resources