Florida Local Expert
Vanessa Leikvoll
“She fosters dogs but answers to the two parakeets who clearly run her house.”
See full bio
Leaving Florida for Georgia: Read This Before You Pack a Single Box
Florida and Georgia share a border, a love of sweet tea, and summer heat that refuses to quit, yet the two states offer surprisingly different day to day experiences for residents. Trading Florida's coastal sprawl and tourist energy for Georgia's rolling hills and tight knit city neighborhoods means more of a lifestyle adjustment than most people anticipate. The cost of living shifts, the commute patterns change, and the culture takes on a distinctly different Southern flavor once you cross that state line. Our Snappy Scout team (Vanessa & Sabrina) broke down the costs, logistics, and lifestyle changes you need to know before you start loading the truck.
Who's Behind This Guide
DIY Move: How Far Is the Drive from FL to GA?
Average distance
350miles
Typical route
I-75 N and I-95 N are the two major highways you'd drive to get from Florida to Georgia
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Miami, FL → Atlanta, GA
~650 miles
Orlando, FL → Atlanta, GA
~450 miles
Jacksonville, FL → Savannah, GA
~150 miles
Tampa, FL → Atlanta, GA
~450 miles
Tallahassee, FL → Atlanta, GA
~250 miles
Should You Move From Florida to Georgia Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Georgia from Florida is the right call for your lifestyle and preferences.
Progress1 of 10 questions
Question 1 of 10
What kind of weather makes you happiest?
0/10answered
Live score
Collecting your answers and forming an opinion. Answer another question to see the results.
The True Cost of Relocating to GA from FL
Moving 350 miles from Florida to Georgia will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $5,000.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.
Expected Range
$2,500.00–$5,000.00
Expected Time
2–9days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,380.00
1 Bedroom
$2,050.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,380.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,900.00
4 Bedrooms
$7,060.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,850.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,380.00 | 300 | $4.6 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,050.00 | 450 | $4.56 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,380.00 | 750 | $4.51 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,900.00 | 1,100 | $4.45 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $7,060.00 | 1,600 | $4.41 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,850.00 | 1,800 | $4.36 |
How we calculated these numbers: We reached out to the owners and operators of more than a dozen nationwide moving companies to figure out how they factor in mileage, weight, volume, timing, origin & termination locations, and approximate home sizes to determine a moving estimate. The results above are what the data nerds at Snappy Scout created based on that info.
How Will Your Current FL Personality Hold Up in GA?
Well, it depends. If you're a Stay at Home Mom, Garden Club Lifetime Member, or Coffee Snob, you'll thrive in your move to Georgia. But if you're more of a Beach Bum, Retired Snowbird, or Yoga Instructor, settling into your new home state may be a bit of a challenge. We scored a variety of different “personalities” on a 10-point scale to show you what to expect from a lifestyle perspective with a relocation from Florida to Georgia.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from FL to GA
Stay At Home Moms
Florida
4.5
/10
Georgia
8.5
/10
Florida
Giving up
Great schools and sunshine, but theme park chaos looms close.
Georgia
Gaining
Family suburbs, golf cart paths, excellent school districts
Recommended GA cities/areas for Stay at Home Moms
Johns CreekAlpharettaPeachtree City
Florida
4.5
/10
Georgia
8.5
/10
Gardener
Florida
5
/10
Georgia
7.5
/10
Florida
Giving up
Tropical plants thrive (sorry, not in the panhandle), but summer heat wilts your patience.
Georgia
Gaining
Atlanta Botanical Garden, Pebble Hill Plantation, azalea heaven
Recommended GA cities/areas for Garden Club Lifetime Members
Florida
5
/10
Georgia
7.5
/10
Beach Culture
Florida
10
/10
Georgia
5
/10
Florida
Giving up
Year-round surf, sand, and Margaritaville moods everywhere you go.
Georgia
Gaining
Beaches exist but more laid back than tropical paradise
Recommended GA cities/areas for Beach Bums
Tybee IslandSt. Simons
Florida
10
/10
Georgia
5
/10
Snowbirds
Florida
9.5
/10
Georgia
6.5
/10
Florida
Giving up
Golf carts, palm trees, and perpetual sunshine never get old.
Georgia
Gaining
Mild winters, coastal charm, not quite Florida warmth
Recommended GA cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
St. Simons IslandJekyll Island
Florida
9.5
/10
Georgia
6.5
/10
Yoga
Florida
8.5
/10
Georgia
6.5
/10
Florida
Giving up
Beach sunrise flows to start the day. You don't need an indoor gym for hot yoga!
Georgia
Gaining
Forsyth Park sessions, mountain studio vibes, wellness community
Florida
8.5
/10
Georgia
6.5
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Georgia?
In the early spring, yellow daffodils begin to pop up along every roadway and yard. It makes me know that t-shirt and shorts weather is just around the corner.
– Sabrina Wells
Georgia Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Florida and living in Georgia
FloridaGeorgia
The Real Food Rules in FL and GA
Eating Like a Local in Florida
This really varies by where in Florida you are. But, generally, Cuban and Latin-inspired food here is very popular, as well as what I refer to as "beach bar food:" coconut shrimp, grouper bites, crab cakes, gator bites, fish tacos, and of course, margaritas (especially spicy ones with a Tajin rim).
I don't think there are any unspoken rules here, per se, except that you always want to get the freshest fish available, such as mahi mahi or grouper, and skip the conventional white fish.
Vanessa LeikvollFlorida Local ExpertEating Like a Local in Georgia
If Brunswick Stew is on the menu, don't hesitate to order it. And if it's got a bit of heat to it even better, but if not they're sure to have a variety of hot sauces available to spice it up.
Sabrina WellsGeorgia Local ExpertIs GA a More Tax-Friendly State for Your Tax Burden?
Florida
Georgia
FloridavsGeorgia
State Income Tax
State Income TaxNone. Sunshine is free, and so is your paycheck.
Flat 5.49% on all income
Florida
None. Sunshine is free, and so is your paycheck.
VS
Georgia
Flat 5.49% on all income
Property Taxes
Property TaxesModerate overall; Miami-Dade higher, Panhandle pleasantly lower.
Metro Atlanta higher, rural counties lower, overall moderate statewide
Florida
Moderate overall; Miami-Dade higher, Panhandle pleasantly lower.
VS
Georgia
Metro Atlanta higher, rural counties lower, overall moderate statewide
Moving to GA from FL: The Cultural, Political, & Religious Change
Florida
Georgia
FloridavsGeorgia
People
PeopleFriendly but eccentric; equal parts laid-back, loud, and lightning-fast with opinions.
Southern charm personified, warm hospitality with genuine politeness baked in until they get on 285
Florida
Friendly but eccentric; equal parts laid-back, loud, and lightning-fast with opinions.
VS
Georgia
Southern charm personified, warm hospitality with genuine politeness baked in until they get on 285
Politics
A wild beach party of red and blue—expect flip-flops and fiery debates.
Purple battleground, Atlanta and it's surrounding counties learn strong blue, surrounded by a sea of red
Florida
A wild beach party of red and blue—expect flip-flops and fiery debates.
VS
Georgia
Purple battleground, Atlanta and it's surrounding counties learn strong blue, surrounded by a sea of red
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, with Catholic and evangelical strongholds; growing Jewish and nonreligious communities.
Predominantly Christian, heavy Baptist influence, Atlanta brings religious diversity
Florida
Mostly Christian, with Catholic and evangelical strongholds; growing Jewish and nonreligious communities.
VS
Georgia
Predominantly Christian, heavy Baptist influence, Atlanta brings religious diversity
Climate in FL vs GA: A Local's Real Perspective
SUMMER
Florida
Just plain hot (triple digits and 98% humidity in Miami)
Georgia
satan's sauna setting (90s with bonus swamp air)
WINTER
Florida
Sweater optional (unless you're in the Panhandle, then it's gloves and regret)
Georgia
negotiable flannel season (mountains get actual snow)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Georgia
Late spring in Savannah, the weather is perfect, warm but not hot and low humidity. The town is alive with locals, not tourists, and it's a downright pleasant stroll through the haunted graveyards.
Sabrina WellsGeorgia Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Georgia
By now, you're hopefully fully aware that at Snappy Scout, our moving guides aren't like the rest! Now that you've compared the aspects of leaving behind Florida, take a deeper dive into the specifics of moving to Georgia. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Georgia local experts.
Moving toAtlanta
Pack Patience for I-285 and Pollen
Moving toMacon
Pack Your Appetite and Cherry Blossom Tolerance
Moving toSavannah
Pack Sunscreen and Flood Insurance
