Leaving Georgia for Florida: The Lifestyle Shift Nobody Prepares For

Two Southern states, one big move. Georgia and Florida share a border, a love of warm weather, and a reputation for being tax friendly, yet the transition catches plenty of movers off guard once they settle in. Trading Atlanta's rolling piedmont landscape and four distinct seasons for Florida's flat coastlines and near year round sunshine comes with more lifestyle adjustments than most people anticipate. Our Snappy Scout team (Sabrina & Vanessa) dug into the costs, logistics, and daily life changes you should think through before loading up the first moving truck.
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Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move

The Drive from Georgia to FL: What to Plan For

Average distance
350miles
Typical route
Driving from Georgia to Florida typically takes you along I-75 South, I-95 South, or I-10 West depending on your origin and destination cities.

Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):

Atlanta, GA Orlando, FL
~450 miles
Atlanta, GA Miami, FL
~650 miles
Savannah, GA Jacksonville, FL
~150 miles
Atlanta, GA Tampa, FL
~500 miles
Columbus, GA Tallahassee, FL
~200 miles
Residential neighborhood shots across St. Petersburg
Moving to Florida means getting to call neighborhoods like Downtown St. Petersburg, Historic Old Northeast, or Historic Kenwood in St. Petersburg home.

Should You Move From Georgia to Florida Quiz

Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Florida from Georgia 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.

Georgia to FL Moving Company Prices

Moving 350 miles from Georgia to Florida 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
29days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,390.00
1 Bedroom
$2,060.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,390.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,910.00
4 Bedrooms
$7,070.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,860.00
Home SizeMoving CostVolume (ft³)$/ft³
Studio$1,390.00300$4.63
1 Bedroom$2,060.00450$4.58
2 Bedrooms$3,390.00750$4.52
3 Bedrooms$4,910.001,100$4.46
4 Bedrooms$7,070.001,600$4.42
5+ Bedrooms$7,860.001,800$4.37
Snappy Scout camel
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.
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That's the average.
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comparison of housing options and types between neighborhoods in Georgia and Florida
What it looks like to swap housing options from Georgia housing to Florida living.

Will Your Way of Life Translate in FL?

Well, it depends. If you're a Surfer Dude, Cowboy, or Adventure Junkie, you'll thrive in your move to Florida. But if you're more of a Retired Military, Hipster, or College Student, 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 Georgia to Florida.

Top 3 winners and losers moving from GA to FL

Surfing
Verdict: Winner
Georgia
4
/10
Florida
9
/10
Georgia
Giving up
Waves are rare, except during hurricane season, more longboard and chill vibes
Florida
Gaining
Ron Jon Surf Shop was practically built for you
Recommended FL cities/areas for Surfer Dudes
Cocoa BeachNew Smyrna Beach
Cowboys
Verdict: Winner
Georgia
4
/10
Florida
6.5
/10
Georgia
Giving up
Some ranches and rodeos exist, but this ain't Texas
Florida
Gaining
Rodeos, cattle drives, and swampy boots meet tropical heat.
Recommended FL cities/areas for Cowboys
OkeechobeeKissimmeeOcala
Adventure Activities
Verdict: Winner
Georgia
7.5
/10
Florida
9
/10
Georgia
Giving up
Appalachian Trail, Tallulah Gorge, Chattahoochee River whitewater thrills
Florida
Gaining
Paddleboarding, hiking, camping, theme parks, and pirate-themed boat rides meet your adrenaline needs.
Recommended FL cities/areas for Adventure Junkies
OrlandoOcalaTampa
Military Culture
Verdict: Loser
Georgia
8
/10
Florida
5
/10
Georgia
Giving up
Fort Benning, Robins Air Force Base, Fort Stewart nearby
Florida
Gaining
Strong bases, beaches, and VA care make it feel like home.
Recommended FL cities/areas for Retired Militaries
PensacolaJacksonvilleTampaDaytona Beach
Hipsters
Verdict: Loser
Georgia
7.5
/10
Florida
5
/10
Georgia
Giving up
Vintage shops, Starlight Drive-In, indie music venues everywhere
Florida
Gaining
Art murals pop, but ironic beards wilt in the humidity.
Recommended FL cities/areas for Hipsters
Miami’s Wynwood DistrictSt. PetersburgOrlando
University Life
Verdict: Loser
Georgia
9.5
/10
Florida
8
/10
Georgia
Giving up
UGA spirit, Georgia Tech innovation, Georgia Southern pride
Florida
Gaining
Game days, pool parties, and endless sunshine between semesters.
Recommended FL cities/areas for College Students
GainesvilleTallahasseeOrlando
Local Perspective

What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Florida?

All the festivals and outdoor events! That's why I moved here. I wanted to get outside more, and this state caters to that perfectly. No matter what city you're in, rest assured every weekend there is some big market, festival, event, sports club, or other attraction happening somewhere near you (or a short-ish drive away), all year long.
Vanessa Leikvoll
Florida Local
comparison of hotspots between neighborhoods in Georgia and Florida
How you'll spend your free time living in Florida will also be different than what you're used to in Georgia.

Lifestyle differences between living in Georgia and living in Florida

GeorgiaFlorida

How the Way Locals Eat Differs Between Georgia and FL

Eating 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 Wells profile pictureSabrina WellsGeorgia Local Expert

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 Leikvoll profile pictureVanessa LeikvollFlorida Local Expert
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Florida looking like
the right move?

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Is FL a More Favorable State for Your Tax Situation?

GeorgiavsFlorida
State Income Tax
Georgia
Flat 5.49% on all income
VS
Florida
None. Sunshine is free, and so is your paycheck.
Property Taxes
Georgia
Metro Atlanta higher, rural counties lower, overall moderate statewide
VS
Florida
Moderate overall; Miami-Dade higher, Panhandle pleasantly lower.
Homes across Florida
A sampling of housing you might be paying property tax on across Florida. Featuring the town of St. Petersburg.

What Separates Georgia and FL: People, Politics, & Religion

GeorgiavsFlorida
People
Georgia
Southern charm personified, warm hospitality with genuine politeness baked in until they get on 285
VS
Florida
Friendly but eccentric; equal parts laid-back, loud, and lightning-fast with opinions.
Politics
Georgia
Purple battleground, Atlanta and it's surrounding counties learn strong blue, surrounded by a sea of red
VS
Florida
A wild beach party of red and blue—expect flip-flops and fiery debates.
Religion
Georgia
Predominantly Christian, heavy Baptist influence, Atlanta brings religious diversity
VS
Florida
Mostly Christian, with Catholic and evangelical strongholds; growing Jewish and nonreligious communities.
Comparing the state capitol buildings between Georgia and Florida.
The Georgia state capitol building in Atlanta compared to the Florida state capitol building in Tallahassee.

Georgia vs FL: The Weather, the Seasons, and Everything Between

SUMMER
Georgia

satan's sauna setting (90s with bonus swamp air)

Florida

Just plain hot (triple digits and 98% humidity in Miami)

WINTER
Georgia

negotiable flannel season (mountains get actual snow)

Florida

Sweater optional (unless you're in the Panhandle, then it's gloves and regret)

My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Florida

I personally love the holiday season in Florida. No matter where in the state you are, every city seems to go all-out with its decorations, lights, festivities, and holiday markets. Everyone thinks Florida is just year-long summer vibes, but we sure know how to put on our holiday best.

Vanessa Leikvoll profile pictureVanessa LeikvollFlorida Local Expert

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Next Steps

Learn More About Moving to Florida

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 Georgia, take a deeper dive into the specifics of moving to Florida. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Florida local experts.

Moving toSt. Petersburg