New York to Florida is the most popular interstate move in the country — and in 2026, it’s still accelerating. No state income tax, half the housing cost, and the ability to work remotely from a place where January doesn’t require four layers of clothing. The math works.
But the logistics are more complicated than most people expect. You’re not just packing boxes. You’re closing out a New York lease (with its own legal timeline), switching tax residency from one of the highest-taxed states to one of the lowest, coordinating a 1,000–1,300 mile move down the I-95 corridor, and adjusting to a climate that will warp your furniture if you ship it wrong.
At Shepherd Movers, we run the NY-to-Florida corridor constantly. This checklist is built from what we see every week — what works, what doesn’t, and what people forget until it costs them money.
What Does It Cost to Move from New York to Florida in 2026?
Let’s start with the number everyone wants. Here’s what NY-to-Florida moves typically cost in 2026 with Shepherd Movers:
| Home Size | Estimated Cost (2026) | Typical Transit Time |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $2,200 – $4,500 | 3 – 5 Days |
| 2 – 3 Bedroom Home | $4,800 – $7,500 | 4 – 7 Days |
| 4+ Bedroom Home | $8,500 – $13,000+ | 6 – 10 Days |
Pricing varies by exact origin/destination, inventory size, and time of year. Final quotes issued after inventory review.
What Affects Your Moving Cost
- Volume of belongings: This is the biggest factor. More stuff = higher cost. Downsizing before your move is the single best way to reduce your bill.
- Origin and destination specifics: A move from a Manhattan walk-up with no elevator costs more in labor than a move from a suburban Long Island home with a driveway. Same goes for the Florida side — a high-rise in Brickell requires different logistics than a house in Orlando.
- Time of year: Peak season (May–September) costs more because demand is higher. Moving in October–March can save you 15–25%.
- Services required: Full packing, specialty crating, vehicle transport, and storage all add to the total. Basic moves with self-packing cost less.
- Access challenges: Walk-up apartments, narrow NYC streets, freight elevator scheduling, and buildings that require COI (Certificate of Insurance) filings all affect crew time and pricing.
The Money Checklist: Taxes, Residency & What New York Won’t Tell You
This is where the real savings — and the real mistakes — happen. Moving your furniture is the easy part. Moving your financial life is where people lose thousands.
Florida Has No State Income Tax. New York’s Top Bracket Is 10.9%.
If you earn $200,000 in New York City, you’re paying roughly $15,000–$20,000/year in combined state and city income tax. In Florida, that number drops to $0. Over five years, that’s $75,000–$100,000 in tax savings alone.
But here’s what most people miss: New York doesn’t let go easily.
The “Convenience of the Employer” Rule
If your employer is headquartered in New York and you work remotely from Florida for your own convenience (not because the company requires you to be in Florida), New York may still tax your income as NY-source income. This has bitten thousands of remote workers who assumed moving to Florida automatically ended their NY tax obligation.
Talk to a tax professional before you move. Not after. This is the single most expensive mistake on the NY-to-FL checklist.
Establishing Florida Residency (Properly)
Having a Florida address isn’t enough. You need to build a documented paper trail:
- Florida driver’s license — Required within 30 days. Schedule your DHSMV appointment early; Miami-Dade and Broward wait times run 2–3 weeks. (flhsmv.gov)
- Vehicle registration — Required within 10 days of starting employment or enrolling kids in school. Budget $225–$400+ for title transfer and registration.
- Voter registration — Do this at the DHSMV or at registertovoteflorida.gov.
- Homestead exemption — If you’re buying, file with your county property appraiser ASAP. Deadline is March 1. Saves $500–$1,000+/year on property taxes.
- Update every financial account — Banks, brokerage, retirement accounts, insurance. All should show your Florida address.
Proof You Actually Left New York
New York’s Department of Taxation and Finance audits former residents. They look at where you spent the majority of your days, where your doctor and dentist are, where your kids go to school, and where you’re registered to vote. Keep documentation: your Florida lease or deed, new license, voter registration, gym membership, community ties. If they audit you and decide you didn’t really leave, they’ll tax you as if you never moved.
Where You’re Landing: Picking the Right Florida City
Florida isn’t one place. The city you choose changes your cost of living, commute, hurricane exposure, and lifestyle.
South Florida (Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach)
The most expensive Florida option — but still cheaper than NYC. Strong in finance, healthcare, and international business. Dense, traffic-heavy, culturally rich. Highest hurricane exposure. Homeowners insurance here is brutal: $5,000–$8,000/year in some zip codes.
Central Florida (Tampa, Orlando, St. Petersburg)
The sweet spot for most NY transplants. Affordable housing ($350K–$500K for a 3BR), growing job markets, and a balance between urban and suburban. Tampa has absorbed more Northeast transplants than any other Florida city in the last three years.
North Florida (Jacksonville, St. Augustine)
The most affordable option. Cooler winters (by Florida standards). Less urban infrastructure. Jacksonville’s economy is driven by logistics, military (Naval Station Mayport, NAS Jacksonville), and financial services. If budget is your priority, this is the play.
The Five Things That Burn NY-to-FL Movers Every Time
These aren’t edge cases. We see these mistakes weekly.
1. Florida Homeowners Insurance
Florida’s average is $4,000–$6,000/year. In South Florida, it can hit $8,000+. That’s 3–4x the national average, driven by hurricane risk. Flood insurance is separate — and often required by your mortgage lender. It adds another $500–$2,500/year depending on your flood zone.
This cost changes the math on what you can actually afford. Run the insurance numbers before you make an offer on a house.
2. Summer Utility Bills
Your electricity bill from June through September will be $250–$400+/month for a standard 3-bedroom home. AC runs 24/7. This is the ongoing cost that doesn’t appear in any “cost of living comparison” calculator.
3. Furniture That Doesn’t Survive the Humidity
You’re going from climate-controlled NYC apartments to 70–80% humidity. Solid wood warps. Leather mildews. Canvases can sag. If you’re shipping high-value furniture, leather pieces, or instruments, ask about climate-controlled transit. Standard truck interiors on the I-95 summer corridor reach 120°F+ through the Carolinas and Georgia.
Shepherd Movers offers climate-protected options for the full NY-to-FL route — ask during your quote.
4. Florida’s Auto Insurance Rates
Florida has some of the highest car insurance premiums in the country — especially in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Average annual premiums run $2,500–$3,500+. Get quotes before you move. Don’t let this number surprise you after you’ve already signed a lease.
5. The SunPass Problem
Florida’s toll system is entirely cashless. No booths. No cash lanes. If you drive through a toll without a SunPass or E-PASS transponder, your plate gets photographed and you receive a bill at a higher rate. Set up SunPass at sunpass.com before you arrive — you’ll use it constantly, especially in Central and South Florida.
The Logistics Checklist: What to Handle Before Moving Day
Before You Leave New York
- Give written notice on your lease (30 days standard; check for 60/90-day clauses)
- Book your interstate mover 4–6 weeks out (peak season: 6–8 weeks)
- Forward mail via USPS ($1.10 at usps.com) + update address with banks, IRS (Form 8822), insurance, subscriptions
- Cancel or transfer Con Edison, Spectrum/Optimum/Fios, renters insurance
- Schedule building access: freight elevator, COI filing, loading dock (if applicable)
- Downsize aggressively — winter coats, snow boots, space heaters, window AC units, anything you haven’t touched in a year
Set Up in Florida Before You Arrive
- Electricity (FPL, Duke Energy, Tampa Electric, or JEA — your AC must be running before move-in)
- Water/sewer (city-specific)
- Internet (Xfinity, AT&T Fiber, Spectrum — check coverage by address)
- Get Florida homeowners/renters insurance quotes (don’t wait until closing week)
First Two Weeks After Arrival
- Florida driver’s license (DHSMV — schedule appointment ASAP)
- Vehicle registration (within 10 days)
- Update car insurance to Florida policy
- Register to vote in your new county
- Find local doctor, dentist, pharmacy
- File for homestead exemption if you bought
- Hurricane prep: flashlights, batteries, water, weather radio (if arriving June–November)
- Set up SunPass for toll roads
- Pest inspection if home was vacant (palmetto bugs, termites, fire ants — Florida pests are a different category)
NY to Florida Moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from New York to Florida in 2026?
Studios and 1-bedrooms typically run $2,200–$4,500. 2–3 bedroom homes cost $4,800–$7,500. Larger homes start at $8,500+. Pricing depends on your exact origin, destination, and inventory.
How long does the move take?
Transit to Jacksonville is 2–4 days. Orlando and Tampa: 3–5 days. South Florida (Miami, Fort Lauderdale): 4–6 days. We give you a confirmed delivery window, not a vague range.
When is the cheapest time to move from NY to Florida?
October through March. You dodge peak moving season, hurricane season (ends November 30), and benefit from rates that are 15–25% lower than summer pricing.
Do I automatically stop paying New York taxes when I move to Florida?
No. You must establish legal Florida residency and sever ties with New York. If you work remotely for a NY employer, the “convenience of the employer” rule may still apply. Consult a tax professional — this is not optional.
Does Shepherd Movers handle NYC building logistics?
Yes. We manage COI filings, freight elevator reservations, loading dock scheduling, and parking coordination for Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. We also handle HOA and building access at your Florida destination.
Is packing included?
Basic protection materials are included. Full-service packing (we pack your entire home) is available as an add-on, quoted during your inventory review.
What if my Florida home isn't ready yet?
We offer short-term and long-term storage. If your closing gets pushed back or your lease start date shifts, your belongings stay secure until you’re ready.
