($1,347) Movers From Virginia Beach, VA to Tampa, FL

What to know before moving from Virginia Beach to Tampa

Moving from Virginia Beach to Tampa means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Virginia Beach than in Tampa, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how Virginia Beach compares to Tampa so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Tampa are 1% lower than in Virginia Beach, which means you’ll have more 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 7.7% lower than in Virginia Beach.
• Income in Tampa is 18.3% lower than in Virginia Beach, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Tampa include Bloomin' Brands, Sykes Enterprises, and OSI Restaurant Partners.
• The cost of living for a single person in Tampa is 28.7% lower than in Virginia Beach. 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 37.2% higher than in Virginia Beach.
• The unemployment rate in Tampa is 4.17% higher than in Virginia Beach.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Tampa, since the city’s sales taxes in Tampa are 8.33% higher than in Virginia Beach.
• One perk of moving to Tampa is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Virginia Beach.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,138.98 in Tampa to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Virginia Beach.

How life is different in Virginia Beach vs. Tampa

• Tampa might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 12% less than Virginia Beach.
• Tampa offers better access to buses and trains than Virginia Beach, based on public transportation ratings. Tampa has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 3 in Virginia Beach. 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 Virginia Beach. Tampa is considered more walkable than Virginia Beach, with a score of 51 out of 100 versus 33 out of 100 in Virginia Beach. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, Tampa is considered more bike-friendly than Virginia Beach in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Tampa has a bike-friendliness score of 51 out of 100, while Virginia Beach is rated as 42 out of 100.
• The crime rate in Tampa is higher than in Virginia Beach, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 46.15 in Tampa, it is 42.0 in Virginia Beach. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You may want to exercise more caution as you’re getting used to your new surroundings in Tampa. With a crime index of 53.85, Tampa ranks lower in overall safety than Virginia Beach, whose index is Virginia Beach's 58.0. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
• The air quality in Tampa and Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach 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: It’s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it’s a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
• Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
• 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. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in Florida, visit the state's public utilities commission
• Moving permits: While Florida doesn’t mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Tampa without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. 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 gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Where to live in Tampa

With your sights set on "Big Guava", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Tampa.

Helpful moving resources