($2,031) Movers From Portland, OR to Tampa, FL

What to know before moving from Portland to Tampa

Moving from Portland to Tampa comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Tampa is generally more expensive than Portland, 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 26% higher than in Portland, 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 29.0% lower than in Portland.
• Income in Tampa is 22.2% lower than in Portland, 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 25.7% higher than in Portland. 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 33.4% higher than in Portland.
• The unemployment rate in Tampa is 27.54% lower than in Portland.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Tampa, since the city’s sales taxes in Tampa are 6.50% higher than in Portland.
• One perk of moving to Tampa is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Portland.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,769.83 in Tampa to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Portland.

How life is different in Portland vs. Tampa

• Tampa might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 38% less than Portland.
• Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Tampa will be about the same as it currently is in Portland. 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 Portland. Based on its score of 51 out of 100, Tampa isn’t as walkable as Portland, which has a score of 81 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 Portland. While Portland has a bike-friendliness score of 92 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 Portland based on scores of 46.15 and Portland's 57.37, 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 Portland, based on Tampa’s safety index of 53.85 versus 42.63 for Portland. 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 Portland 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 Portland 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: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you're familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
• Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
• Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulations—some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
• 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. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: You can verify a Florida moving company\’s license by visiting the state'spublic utilities commission
• Moving permits: You won’t need a moving permit in Florida, though it\’s smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
• Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly toTampa Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations.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: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

Where to live in Tampa

Now that you’ve chosen "Big Guava" as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Tampa to check out.

Helpful moving resources