Moving to a new city is a difficult process, let alone to a completely different state (which is even more stressful). Moving from Connecticut to a southern state like Florida can be a big change for you. Florida is not just a popular tourist destination but also a popular state among residents as well. Along with the fact that you’d be leaving behind the harsh winters of Connecticut, the better job opportunities in Florida, outdoor activities, adventure sports, a long coastline, and dynamic nightlife are just a few of the many things that the Sunshine State offers you.
So, if you’re interested in moving from Connecticut to Florida, here are a few things that you could expect.
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Florida is a state with typically hot and humid southern weather. It has general hot weather all year long with mild winters. Connecticut, on the other hand, has comparatively pleasant weather all year long with all four seasons whereby you get to experience the beautiful scenery of the state.
Speaking of pleasant, the winters in Connecticut have about 37 inches of snowfall annually. This is not the same with Florida as there’s no snowfall in the state. The winter lows in Connecticut are between 35°F and 18°F. The winters in Florida are mild, as mentioned earlier, where the average temperature ranges between 49°F and 60°F.
The summers, on the other hand, are somewhat similar in both states. Connecticut has summer average temperatures that range from 70°F to 85°F. When you look at summers in Florida, temperatures are pretty high too; the temperatures can rise as high as 100°F during the months of June to August. The average summer temperature in Florida ranges between 80°F and 95°F.
When you move from the pleasant weather of Connecticut to the more humid and hot weather of Florida, you’ll also have to be prepared for all the natural disasters that Florida is prone to. Hurricanes, tornadoes, droughts, wildfires are just a few natural calamities that you could experience in the state.
When looking at the overall cost of living in a city, you’d be thrilled to know that Florida is in the affordable price range compared to Connecticut. According to 24/7WallSt., Florida is 0.6% higher while Connecticut is 6.0% higher than the national average. Let us have a look at the breakdown of these expenses.
The real estate market in Florida and Connecticut are both equally affordable. Buying a house in either state is going to be pretty much the same as the houses are going to fall under a similar price range. So if you plan on buying a house in Florida, you’d not have to worry about a hiked budget.
The table below will show you a clear distinction between the median home values in both Florida and Connecticut state according to Zillow.
| Florida | Connecticut | |
| Median Home Value | $356,348 | $340,415 |
See Also: Things to Buy for a New House
The rental market in both Florida and Connecticut falls under almost the same price range. You will find ample places to rent here that will fit your budget. From small apartments to family homes, Florida has them all for you. So, moving from Connecticut to Florida wouldn’t necessarily have you change your expenses with regard to renting.
The following is a table curated with the help of Bestplaces that will give you a comparison of rent in both states.
| 1 Bedroom | 2 Bedroom | 3 Bedroom | |
| Florida | $1,112 | $1,297 | $1,698 |
| Connecticut | $1,088 | $1,287 | $1,578 |
The monthly expenses around the house largely contribute to your overall cost of living. Your monthly expenses in Florida are thankfully not too high or too low compared to the national average. The same in Connecticut is higher than the national average. Let’s see the breakdown of these expenses.
You would likely be spending often on food, which is a large amount that contributes to your monthly household expenses. When in Florida, you’d be spending an average of $3,413 on your food expenses annually according to Numbeo. The same expense for a family of four is about $9,856, which is higher than the national average.
Your healthcare expenses are also included in your cost of living. And you know that the US has a reputation for being a bit pricey when it comes to these expenses. Thankfully, the healthcare expenses for an individual in Florida are $4,223 which is lower than the national average. This goes to say that in Florida, the healthcare expenses are affordable.
The crime rate is an important factor to consider when looking for a new place to move to. Florida has a lower crime rate compared to the national average but it’s higher than that in Connecticut. Let’s have a better look at how it is different in each state below.
The violent crime rate in Florida (calculated per 1,000 residents) is 3.87 and the violent crime rate in Connecticut is 1.79, which is relatively lower. Also, both these cities have a much lower violent crime rate compared to the national average of 4. Living in Florida, you have a 1 in 258 chance of being a victim of violent crimes according to Neighborhoodscout.
When it comes to the property crime rate in Florida, it’s 17.85 and that in Connecticut is 15.44 (per 1,000 residents). Both of these rates are again lower than the national average of 19. You have a 1 in 56 chance of being the victim of property crimes in Florida.
This shows that even though the overall crime rate of Florida might be lower than the national average, it is certainly higher than the crime rate in Connecticut. But of course, this is a relative increase and a minor one at that. You have little to worry about.
When it comes to the economy, Florida ranks 8th while Connecticut ranks 22nd in the country according to US News. This shows that Florida has better economic stability compared to Connecticut. In 2020, the GDP of Florida was $1,106,035.5 million which is good progress over the past decade. The economy is slowly but steadily growing in Florida thanks to its bustling industries that have contributed to its overall economy.
Education, tourism, international trade, aviation, healthcare, financial services, aerospace, life sciences, agriculture, retail, and construction are some of the top industries in the state. These are the same industries that have also been able to provide job opportunities to residents. The unemployment rate in Florida was 3.5% in December 2021 according to the US Bureau Of Labor Statistics, pleasantly low.
The University of South Florida, Jackson Health System, Darden Restaurants, Publix, Epcot, Adventhealth, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Johnson & Johnson Co., Orlando Health, University of Central Florida, Jabil, Red Lobster, Mayo Clinic, Centers for Disease Prevention, the Naval Air Station, and Gimbel International Inc., are some of the largest companies in Florida that provide ample job opportunities for budding and skilled professionals. These are the top employers in the state and you should be looking out for job openings in these companies if you’re looking to get employed.
Education is an important aspect to consider when moving to a new state or city with your family and children. Connecticut has some excellent education, so naturally, you’d want to make sure Florida does too. Well, you’re in luck; Florida boasts a large number of schools, colleges, and universities that provide quality education to students across the state. The state ranks 3rd in the nation for Pre-K education and has been ranked so for the past three years.
Let’s have a look at some of the best school districts and universities in Florida.
See Also: How Can I Keep My Child In The Same School If I Move
When it comes to transportation and traffic in Florida, it’s much better than that in Connecticut. The traffic in Connecticut has a bad reputation and the badly constructed roads, bridges, and highways are to be blamed for the same. When you look at transportation, Florida is a big state and has a transit system that covers most of its cities.
Each city within the state has its own transit system that is well connected and efficiently working. Besides, the cities in Florida are also interconnected with railways, airways, and roadways. This makes getting around each city much more efficient and convenient for all.
The state also has two Amtrak lines, Silver Star and Silver Meteor, that run from NYC to Miami. These stop at a few major cities in the state, serving as convenient intrastate transportation. Plus, there are multiple airports (domestic and international) scattered throughout Florida that make domestic and international travel a breeze.
With the commute time and infrastructure, Florida has an upper hand over Connecticut. The traffic in Connecticut is bad almost throughout the day, which is not the case in Florida. Florida does have traffic during peak hours that could take a long while to disperse but it’s much better than the traffic in Connecticut.
The most populated city in Florida is also the largest city by geographical area in the country. Jacksonville is known for its education forefront and is home to some of the best universities in the state. This has led to many students coming here from across the country. The job opportunities in this city are also varied, so there’s a large number of young people in this city combining students and working professionals.
Population: 938,719
Median Home Value: $279,698
Annual Median Household Income: $55,537
Monthly Median Rent: $1,416
Miami is the tourist capital of Florida where thousands of people visit each year. Thankfully, the residential areas of the city maintain a sense of calm away from the tourist rush. It’s a city that has a lot for you to explore and enjoy, and it’s definitely a party nation for those who enjoy it. The nightlife, outdoors, beaches, food, and festivals are some of the many things that you can enjoy all year long. The beautiful weather in the city is also a boon, and you can enjoy yourself on some of the best beaches in the country.
Population: 483,393
Median Home Value: $477,475
Annual Median Household Income: $44,270
Monthly Median Rent: $1,996
Key West is a small island located at the southernmost point in the state of Florida. The small island has a very small yet diverse group of communities that is warm, welcoming, and hospitable. Every day is like you’re on vacation here, there’s so much you can do. Key West is majorly known for its coral reefs, blue-hued beaches, and water sports. The drawback to such a chilled-out life on this island is the expensive pricing on groceries and basic necessities that make living in the city very expensive.
Population: 22,958
Median Home Value: $945,629
Annual Median Household Income: $73,027
Monthly Median Rent: $2,259
You could confuse West Palm Beach with its affluent neighbor Palm Beach, but in fact, West Palm Beach is one of the most expensive cities in the state. With the real estate prices skyrocketing in this city, it’s not easy to get a hold of houses here. Rent is comparatively more affordable though.
West Palm Beach is located in the southern parts of Florida and has a different vibe away from the hustle and bustle of city life. For a quiet life away from the crowds and chaos, it’s a great place to reside in. It also has an amazing waterfront theater, golf courses, and beaches to enjoy.
Population: 109,767
Median Home Value: $362,449
Annual Median Household Income: $81,830
Monthly Median Rent: $1,979
Moving from Connecticut to Florida will be a long distance move and will cost you accordingly. On average, the cost of moving from Connecticut to Florida is $2,800-$4,000, and it also depends on the size, timing, and route of the move. Also, whether you’ll hire a moving company or not will affect the cost you’d spend on the move.
Hiring can be a bit expensive, while renting a truck and a moving container can be easy on the pocket but requires you to put in a lot more work. So, make sure you weigh all your options before you make any hasty decisions.
Summing Up
As you may have read above, both Florida and Connecticut are similar when it comes to the cost of living, real estate markets, and expenses. But when you look at traffic, transportation, education, job opportunities, and even the economy, Florida ranks a bit higher in every aspect. This makes Florida a better city to live in if you’re interested in having a better lifestyle and are more inclined towards the aspects mentioned above.
When it comes to the expenses in Florida and Connecticut, Florida has a lower cost of living. The expenses on food and healthcare are lower in Florida and the state also has no income tax. This allows you to save some extra money when you move from Connecticut to Florida.
Moving from Connecticut to Florida would cost you anywhere between $2,800-$4,000. This cost could change considering a few factors like the distance, size of the move, and the kind of services you hire from a moving company.
Some of the things you’d need to know before you move to Florida are:
Alex Sherr is the founder of My Long Distance Movers, a blog that provides moving information and resources for people who are relocating. He has more than two decades of experience in the moving and relocation industry, and he is passionate about helping people relocate smoothly and efficiently. When he's not writing or blogging, Alex enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children.
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