Moving from Philadelphia, PA to Tampa, FL: Movers and Cost

Quick Answer: The cost to move from Philadelphia, PA to Tampa, FL averages from $757 to $6,197 depending on how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself. Hiring movers will be on the more expensive side. Renting a truck or renting a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

In this article, we’ll lay out everything you need to know for your upcoming move to Tampa, FL. But first, here are a few resources if you need immediate answers:

Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Moving from Tampa to Philadelphia guide.

Moving 1,044 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.

How much does it cost to move from Philadelphia to Tampa?

Here are average prices to hire a moving company, rent a moving container, or rent a moving truck:

Move Size Moving Company Moving Container Rental Truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,214 - $4,932 $875 - $2,134 $700 - $1,329
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,589 - $6,197 $1,569 - $3,126 $757 - $1,580
4+ bedrooms $4,264 - $8,154 $2,117 - $4,117 $949 - $1,923

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,044 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

The cost to move from Philadelphia to Tampa will depend on:

  • Move size: 5 bedroom homes are more expensive to move than 1 bedroom apartments.
  • Time of year: Summer is busy season so moving companies charge more.
  • Do-it-yourself vs Professional Mover: DIY moving services are usually cheaper but involve more work and stress.

How Much do Movers Cost?

Get instant ballpark pricing. No email or phone required. It's fast, free, and easy.

Get instant ballpark pricing It's fast, easy, and free

Get instant ballpark pricing. Fast, easy, and free

Who Are The Best Philadelphia to Tampa Movers?

Hiring a moving company is a big deal.

We’ve researched over 500 interstate moving companies, cross-referencing verified customer reviews, license data, insurance data, and federal complaint records to find you the best long distance moving companies in the industry.

If you’re moving a 1 bedroom apartment worth of stuff or more, these are the best full service moving companies.

Company Quote Rating Price
Safeway Moving
Best Overall Value
Get A Quote
     
4.5 overall rating
American Van Lines
American Van Lines
Best industry reputation
Get A Quote
     
4.5 overall rating
International Van Lines
International Van Lines
Best customer service
Get A Quote
     
4.45 overall rating

If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.

How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from Philadelphia to Tampa?

To ship furniture from Philadelphia to Tampa with a mover will cost between $1,214 to $4,932. The cost to move a 2 to 3 bedroom home will range from $2,589 to $6,197, and a 4-bedroom move or bigger move from Philadelphia to Tampa will cost from $4,264 to $8,154.

How much are moving container companies from Philadelphia to Tampa?

Moving containers from Philadelphia to Tampa will cost you $875 to $2,134 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a 2 to 3 bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,569 to $3,126. A larger home will cost $2,117 to $4,117.

How much is a moving truck from Philadelphia to Tampa?

Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor; these estimates include the estimated fuel cost:

Moving a studio or 1-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $700 to $1,329. A larger move will cost $757 to $1,580, and a 4+ bedroom move from Philadelphia to Tampa costs from $949 to $1,923.

How to ship a car from Philadelphia to Tampa

Now that you've picked from the top movers for your belongings, it's time to choose an experienced and reputable Philadelphia to Tampa car shipper.

Just like booking a reputable mover, professional car shippers will apply know-how and experience to make sure that your car makes it unscathed during this long-distance move.

Company Quote Rating Price
     
5 overall rating
Ship a Car Direct
     
4.75 overall rating
Easy Auto Ship Logo
     
4.5 overall rating

The type of transport you choose and the size of the vehicle will influence the final price of shipping your car. Learn more about car shipping costs.

Is moving from Philadelphia, PA to Tampa, FL a good idea?

Cost of Living: Philadelphia vs Tampa

Philadelphia Tampa
Average rent cost $1,400 $1,679
Average home value $227,569 $374,697
Average income (per capita) $65,077 $57,709
Cost of Living (single person) $1,068 $1,013
Cost of Living (family of 4) $3,813 $3,611
Unemployment rate 11.0% 5.0%
Sales Tax 8.0% 7.5%
State Income Tax 3.07% 0.0%
  • Rent Prices in Tampa, FL are 20% higher than in Philadelphia, PA.
  • Home Prices in Tampa, FL are 64.7% higher than in Philadelphia, PA.
  • Income in Tampa, FL is 11.3% lower than in Philadelphia, PA.
  • Cost of Living for a single person in Tampa, FL is 5.1% lower than in Philadelphia, PA.
  • Cost of Living for a family in Tampa, FL is 5.3% lower than in Philadelphia, PA.
  • Unemployment rate in Tampa, FL is 54.55% lower than in Philadelphia, PA.
  • Sales Taxes in Tampa, FL are 6.25% lower than in Philadelphia, PA.
  • State Income Taxes in Tampa, FL are 100.00% lower than in Philadelphia, PA.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $2,845.5 in Tampa to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Philadelphia.

How is life different in Philadelphia, PA to Tampa, FL?

Tampa Philadelphia
Population 384,959 1,603,797
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 8 9
Walkability score 51 75
Bike friendliness score 51 67
Crime Index 21.92 39.3
Safety Index 52.86 37.1
Air Quality Good Good
  • Tampa’s population is about 76% less than Philadelphia.
  • Tampa’s public transportation is not as good as Philadelphia with a score of 8 vs 9.
  • Tampa is less walkable than Philadelphia with a score of 51 vs 75.
  • Tampa is less bike-friendly than Philadelphia with a score of 51 vs 67.
  • Tampa's crime rate is lower than Philadelphia with a score of 21.92 compared to 39.3.
  • Tampa is considered to be safer than Philadelphia with a safety index of 52.86 vs 37.1.
  • Air Quality in Tampa is Good, and in Philadelphia it’s Good.

Considerations for moving to Tampa, FL

  • 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 on the state regulator's official website.
  • 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 forward to Tampa. Get started here.
  • Moving Company Insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Released Value Protection is the most economical option because it doesn’t cost anything. It is offered by movers at no additional charge, but the protection is minimal. Under this option, the mover is responsible for no more than 60 cents per pound per article. For example, if your mover lost or damaged a 50 inch TV weighing 25 pounds, you would only receive $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). If you need for the full value of your items to be covered, please consult with the moving company you're hiring for other options or a third-party insurance provider.
  • Moving Checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you’ve got everything covered.

Local Philadelphia Movers

Company Quote Rating Contact
Gentle Giant Moving Company Get A Quote      
4.8 overall rating
1450 S Warfield Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19146
(267) 606-4210
EverSafe Moving Co. Get A Quote      
4.72 overall rating
8701 Torresdale Ave., Philadelphia, PA, 19136
(215) 821-8547

Visit our Best Movers in Philadelphia page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

Where to live in Tampa, FL

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

Best neighborhoods for singles:

  • Channel District
  • Courier City-Oscawana
  • Downtown
  • Historic Ybor
  • North Hyde Park

Best neighborhoods for families:

  • Bayshore Beautiful
  • Bayshore Gardens
  • Beach Park
  • Oakford Park
  • Sunset Park

What to do in Tampa

Moving to The “The Big Guava”? These are some of the best things to do in your new Florida home.

  • Busch Gardens
  • Sunshine Skyway Bridge
  • Ybor City
  • Big Cat Rescue
  • Tampa Theatre
  • Amalie Arena
  • Tampa Electric Manatee Viewing Center
  • The Florida Aquarium
  • Lowry Park Zoo
  • Tampa Bay History Center

Get your sports on!

Tampa is a great sports town, these are the local teams to support:
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL)
  • Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL)
  • Tampa Bay Rays (MLB)
  • Tampa Bay Vipers (XFL)
  • Tampa Bay Titans (TBL)
  • Tampa Bay Rowdies (XFL)

Related articles to your move

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