Utah Local Expert
Ann Broadbent
“I have lived in Utah for nearly four decades, and never cease to be profoundly impacted by its incredible beauty.…”
Read more about me
Moving from Utah to FL: The Truth Nobody Tells You
Trading red rock canyons and dry mountain air for white sand beaches and afternoon thunderstorms is a bigger shift than most people anticipate. Utah and Florida sit on opposite ends of the climate and culture spectrum, and while both states have reputations for being tax friendly, the day to day realities of each place could not be more different. Utah offers outdoor adventure right outside your door and a relatively low cost of living, while Florida brings coastal living, year round warmth, and a humidity level that will make you rethink your entire wardrobe. Our Snappy Scout team (Ann & Vanessa) broke down the costs, logistics, and lifestyle changes you should expect before packing the first box.
Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
Fastest Route for a Moving Truck from UT to FL
Average distance
2,150miles
Typical route
I-15 S to I-70 E to I-40 E to I-75 S or I-10 E
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Salt Lake City, UT → Orlando, FL
~2150 miles
Salt Lake City, UT → Miami, FL
~2450 miles
Provo, UT → Tampa, FL
~2150 miles
St. George, UT → Jacksonville, FL
~2050 miles
Ogden, UT → Tallahassee, FL
~2200 miles
Should You Move From Utah to Florida Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Florida from Utah 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.
What to Budget for UT to FL Moving Fees
Moving 2,150 miles from Utah to Florida will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $4,500.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.
Expected Range
$2,500.00–$4,500.00
Expected Time
5–12days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,270.00
1 Bedroom
$1,870.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,080.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,460.00
4 Bedrooms
$6,410.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,120.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,270.00 | 300 | $4.23 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,870.00 | 450 | $4.16 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,080.00 | 750 | $4.11 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,460.00 | 1,100 | $4.05 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $6,410.00 | 1,600 | $4.01 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,120.00 | 1,800 | $3.96 |
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.
Will Your Vibe Hold Up in FL?
Well, it depends. If you're a Surfer Dude, Dog Momma, or Retired Snowbird, you'll thrive in your move to Florida. But if you're more of a Stay at Home Mom, Cowboy, or Garden Club Lifetime Member, 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 Utah to Florida.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from UT to FL
Surfing
Utah
2
/10
Florida
9
/10
Utah
Giving up
Wake surf Lake Powell, but no Pacific sets or salt.
Florida
Gaining
Ron Jon Surf Shop was practically built for you
Recommended FL cities/areas for Surfer Dudes
Cocoa BeachNew Smyrna Beach
Utah
2
/10
Florida
9
/10
Pet Friendly
Utah
7
/10
Florida
9
/10
Utah
Giving up
Tanner Park romps, Millcreek off leash days, Rail Trail, Red Cliffs Desert Reserve
Florida
Gaining
Beach dog parks, pup patios, dog-friendly bars, and sunshine walks galore.
Recommended FL cities/areas for Dog Mommas
Utah
7
/10
Florida
9
/10
Snowbirds
Utah
8
/10
Florida
9.5
/10
Utah
Giving up
Warm winters, Snow Canyon hikes, Tuacahn concerts under stars.
Florida
Gaining
Golf carts, palm trees, and perpetual sunshine never get old.
Recommended FL cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
NaplesThe VillagesSarasota
Utah
8
/10
Florida
9.5
/10
Stay At Home Moms
Utah
8.5
/10
Florida
4.5
/10
Utah
Giving up
Thanksgiving Point outings, Daybreak parks, Lagoon summer passes, All Abilities Park
Florida
Gaining
Great schools and sunshine, but theme park chaos looms close.
Recommended FL cities/areas for Stay at Home Moms
WellingtonWestonWindermere
Utah
8.5
/10
Florida
4.5
/10
Cowboys
Utah
8.5
/10
Florida
6.5
/10
Utah
Giving up
Ogden Pioneer Days, Heber rodeos, Uintah Basin ranch culture, Cross Hollow Arena, Dixie Roundup rodeo.
Florida
Gaining
Rodeos, cattle drives, and swampy boots meet tropical heat.
Recommended FL cities/areas for Cowboys
OkeechobeeKissimmeeOcala
Utah
8.5
/10
Florida
6.5
/10
Gardener
Utah
6
/10
Florida
5
/10
Utah
Giving up
Thanksgiving Point Tulip Festival, Red Butte tours, Ogden blooms
Florida
Gaining
Tropical plants thrive (sorry, not in the panhandle), but summer heat wilts your patience.
Recommended FL cities/areas for Garden Club Lifetime Members
Mount DoraWinter ParkSarasota
Utah
6
/10
Florida
5
/10
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
Lifestyle differences between living in Utah and living in Florida
UtahFlorida
The Food Scene Between UT and FL
Eating Like a Local in Utah
Steak, french fries with fry sauce.
Sweet Pork Burrito Supreme with rice and beans, sour cream and guacamole
Ann BroadbentUtah Local ExpertEating 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 ExpertWhat the Move to FL from UT Means for Your Tax Bill
Utah
Florida
UtahvsFlorida
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 4.55 percent statewide
None. Sunshine is free, and so is your paycheck.
Utah
Flat 4.55 percent statewide
VS
Florida
None. Sunshine is free, and so is your paycheck.
Property Taxes
Property TaxesModerate effective rates, Salt Lake County higher, Park City pricier, rural counties lowest
Moderate overall; Miami-Dade higher, Panhandle pleasantly lower.
Utah
Moderate effective rates, Salt Lake County higher, Park City pricier, rural counties lowest
VS
Florida
Moderate overall; Miami-Dade higher, Panhandle pleasantly lower.
Faith, Politics, & People: UT vs FL
Utah
Florida
UtahvsFlorida
People
PeopleFamously friendly, family centered, outdoorsy, earnest, neighbor helpful
Friendly but eccentric; equal parts laid-back, loud, and lightning-fast with opinions.
Utah
Famously friendly, family centered, outdoorsy, earnest, neighbor helpful
VS
Florida
Friendly but eccentric; equal parts laid-back, loud, and lightning-fast with opinions.
Politics
Deep red statewide, Salt Lake City and Moab bluer, college towns lean progressive
A wild beach party of red and blue—expect flip-flops and fiery debates.
Utah
Deep red statewide, Salt Lake City and Moab bluer, college towns lean progressive
VS
Florida
A wild beach party of red and blue—expect flip-flops and fiery debates.
Religion
ReligionPredominantly LDS, then other Christians, rising unaffiliated, small Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist communities
Mostly Christian, with Catholic and evangelical strongholds; growing Jewish and nonreligious communities.
Utah
Predominantly LDS, then other Christians, rising unaffiliated, small Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist communities
VS
Florida
Mostly Christian, with Catholic and evangelical strongholds; growing Jewish and nonreligious communities.
A Local's View on the Climate in UT and FL
SUMMER
Utah
Red rock broiler mode (triple digits in St. George, asphalt shimmer in Moab), cool mornings and evenings in northern climbs.
Florida
Just plain hot (triple digits and 98% humidity in Miami)
WINTER
Utah
Mountain freezer (wear that puffy coat along with hat & gloves (Wasatch nights bite, St. George keeps golfing).
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 LeikvollFlorida Local ExpertNext 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 Utah, 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
Glow Shuffle, IPAs, HOAs, Flood Maps
