There’s a lot to think about when moving to Florida from Tennessee. From differences in the cost of living to insurance premiums along with getting over to the Florida DMV to transfer your Tennessee driver’s license and vehicle registration, you’ll want to do some budgeting and planning before you make the move.
Relocalate.com has done the heavy lifting for you. Our expert researchers have compiled the key things you need to know when moving to Florida from Tennessee. Find out what you can expect to pay in federal and Florida state taxes, whether you’ll be spending more or less in key cost of living categories, and how long you’ll have to get a new driver’s license and car registration. Plus, you can even get a head start on saving the most money when you move by comparing free quotes for health coverage, car insurance, home/renters insurance, and more.
License & Registration
Transfer your Tennessee driver’s license to Florida within 30 days.
Transfer your vehicles & get Florida license plates within 10 days.
On this page, you’ll be able to:
- See how the cost of living compares for Florida and Tennessee.
- Estimate how much more or less you can expect to pay in state and federal income taxes after you move to Florida.
- Find out what to expect when it comes to Florida property taxes, buying a home, and home insurance premiums.
- Learn whether you’ll be able to save some money or have to spend a little more in key cost of living categories including groceries, transportation, housing, and healthcare.
- Find out what you’ll need to do with the Florida DMV to transfer your Tennessee driver’s license and vehicle registration. (And how long you’ll have to do it.)
- Estimate how much it will cost to move from Tennessee to Florida.
- BONUS: Start saving money today by comparing free quotes for all your new insurance policies in Florida.
Moving to Florida from Tennessee Checklist
- 1. Estimate the cost of the move.
- 2. Update your insurance policies.
- 3. Be prepared to transfer your Tennessee license & registration to Florida.
- 4. Budget and prepare for cost of living changes.
- 5. Change your address and forward your mail through USPS.
- 6. Register to vote.
- 7. Update your new address with your banks, loans, and other accounts.
- 8. Set up your utilities and services at your new home.
Find some more tips and to-dos for Moving to Florida here.
Cost of Moving from Tennessee to Florida
Unfortunately moving can be expensive. Moving to a brand new state usually comes with some extra costs.
Use this moving cost calculator to get a rough idea of how much your move from Tennessee to Florida will cost.
The rough distance between Florida and Tennessee is 549 miles. We’ll use that for our calculations. Select the size of your home that you’ll be moving to get an idea of the costs.
Moving Cost Calculator: Tennessee to Florida
Remember, this is just a rough estimate. The cost of your move will vary depending on the company you choose, your belongings, and other circumstances.
Update Your Insurance Policies for Coverage in Florida
Don’t wait! Update your car insurance coverage for Florida
When you move to Florida, you’ll want to make sure that you’ll be covered for all of life’s unexpected situations. That means updating your insurance policies with your new address and the minimum requirements for Florida.
Florida Car Insurance
One of the first policies you’ll want to update when you move is going to be your car insurance coverage.
In Florida, the minimum liability coverage is $10,000 property damage liability per accident, $10,000 personal injury protection.
Average Cost of Minimum Coverage
$1,128
On average, the annual premium for a minimum liability coverage policy is lower in Florida. You’ll likely pay less for car insurance in Florida than you did in Tennessee.
Average Cost of Full Coverage
$3,183
On average, the annual premium for a full coverage auto insurance policy is higher in Florida. You’ll likely pay more for full coverage in Florida than you did in Tennessee.
Do you own a motorcycle?
Florida Home & Renter’s Insurance
Whether you’ll rent or own your new home, you’ll want to make sure you have the right coverage when you arrive.
Let’s face it, accidents happen during a move. Make sure you have the coverage you need to protect your belongings and your house.
Average Cost of Homeowner’s Insurance
$1,981
You can usually expect that the annual premium for home insurance will be higher in Florida. You’ll likely pay more for your home insurance policy in Florida than you did in Tennessee.
Will you own or rent your home?
Florida Health Insurance
You’ll also need to make sure that you and your family have health coverage once you arrive in Florida.
If you’ll be keeping your job when you move, be sure to ask your employer about any implications for your current health insurance policy.
You’ll need to find out which hospitals and plans are available near your new home. Spend some time researching providers in your area.
Healthcare Costs in Florida
Higher
Generally, healthcare costs are higher in Florida. You’ll likely pay more for healthcare in Florida than you did in Tennessee.
Will you be keeping health insurance with your current employer?
Find Health Coverage ➜
Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Tasks when Moving to Florida from Tennessee
Transfer your Tennessee Driver’s License
within 30 days.
After you’ve moved to Florida, you’ll need to get a valid driver’s license.
Transfer your Tennessee Car Registration
within 10 days.
You’ll also need to transfer your vehicle registration and get Florida license plates.
When you become a resident of Florida, you’ll need to transfer your Tennessee driver’s license and vehicle registration.
You’ll also need to update your car insurance policies so that they meet the minimum requirements for Florida. Sometimes this can come with a rate hike, so it’s always a smart idea to shop around.
The minimum liability coverage you’ll need in Florida is $10,000 property damage liability per accident, $10,000 personal injury protection.
You can start comparing car insurance quotes for Florida for free right here on Relocalate.com.
Transfer Your Tennessee Driver’s License to Florida
Minimum Age for a Florida Driver’s License
18 years old
A standard Florida driver’s license is available to residents who are at least 18 years old.
Florida Driver’s License Expires
every 8 years
You’ll need to renew your driver’s license every 8 years.
Florida Driver’s License Cost
$48.00
A driver’s license will cost around $48.00.
One of the first things you’ll want to do after becoming a resident of Florida is to get a driver’s license.
In fact, new residents should apply for their Florida driver’s license within 30 days.
In Florida, driver’s licenses are issued by the HSMV.
To apply, you’ll need to:
- Complete the Florida Driver’s License Application.
- Surrender your Tennessee driver’s license.
- Present the necessary proof of identity and residency with your new Florida address.
- Pass any required testing.
- Take a photo.
- Pay the driver’s license fee.
After applying and passing any necessary tests, you’ll receive a temporary paper license. The Florida HSMV will mail you your new license, and it should arrive within a few weeks.
For official information and for details about scheduling appointments, visit https://www.flhsmv.gov/.
Florida Driver’s License Knowledge Exam
Total Questions on the Florida Driver’s License Test
50 total questions
The Florida knowledge exam will typically consist of 50 total questions that are based on the driver’s handbook.
Passing Score
80%
You’ll need to score 80% to pass the test.
When you transfer your Tennessee license to Florida, you should be prepared to pass the driver’s license written exam.
While not every applicant will be required to take the test, it is still a good idea to brush up on traffic laws in Florida.
Before you visit the HSMV, take some time to study the official driver’s handbook for Florida. While many traffic laws and safety rules are universal from state to state, there are some specifics that may be a little different.
Assuming your Tennessee driver’s license is valid and unexpired, you should not need to take the Florida driving test.
Is your Tennessee driver’s license valid?
One potential hang up to be aware of is around the validity of your Tennessee driver’s license.
To make things as easy as possible, your Tennessee license should be valid when you apply for a license in Florida.
Ideally what this means is that you should clear any issues with the Tennessee DMV BEFORE you move.
For example:
- If your Tennessee driver’s license is lost or damaged, you should replace it before moving.
- If your Tennessee driver’s license is suspended or revoked, you should try to reinstate it before you move.
If your Tennessee driver’s license is expired when you go to apply for your Florida license, it’s possible that the HSMV will treat it like a brand new application, which may require a written exam and a road test, plus any other requirements for new drivers.
The bottom line: Try to take care of any issues with your Tennessee driver’s license BEFORE you move and visit the Florida DMV.
Transfer Your Car Registration from Tennessee to Florida
If you’re going to bring your car with you when you move, you’ll also need to transfer your Tennessee registration to Florida.
Vehicle registration and titles are handled by the Florida HSMV.
You can find more specific details for your vehicle registration and official information at https://www.flhsmv.gov/
Florida Registration Fee Basis
weight-base
Florida vehicle registration fees are generally calculated by weight-base.
Registration Base Fee Estimate
$225+
Additional fees may vary based on vehicle type as well as any local fees and taxes.
Florida Registration Expiration
every 1-2 years
In Florida, you’ll need to renew your registration every 1-2 years.
Front License Plates
A front license plate is not required in Florida.
Vehicle Safety Inspections
There is typically no vehicle safety inspection required in Florida.
Smog & Emissions Testing
Emissions testing is not required for vehicles registered in Florida.
New residents in Florida are required to transfer their out-of-state vehicle registration within 10 days.
When moving to Florida with vehicles from Tennessee, you should be prepared to:
- Complete an application for Florida registration and title.
- Present your current registration documents from Tennessee.
- Provide any other necessary proof of ownership documents (title, lease agreement, lienholder information, etc.)
- Pass any necessary vehicle inspections required for Florida registration.
- Have a valid Florida insurance policy for your vehicles.
- Pay the registration fees.
Notify the Tennessee DMV
While it’s not always a requirement, it can be worthwhile to update your address with the Tennessee DMV and notify them that you have moved out of the state.
This can often be done on the DMV website, and will prevent you from receiving any renewal notices for your old driver’s license and registrations.
Taxes in Florida vs Tennessee
Differences in taxes are a big consideration in any state to state move.
Unfortunately, it’s not all black and white. In order to get the full picture, it’s important to consider all of your potential tax burdens when moving from Tennessee to Florida including state income tax, property taxes, and sales tax.
Plus, you’ll need to think about how the overall cost of living on key spending categories is going to compare. More on that below.
For example, if you’re a homeowner, it’ll be smart to look at both income tax differences, property tax burdens, as well as average home prices to get a more accurate idea of your tax savings or hike once you move to Florida.
We’ll cover some key differences in your tax savings and tax hikes when moving to Florida from Tennessee.
For simplicity’s sake, we’ll be comparing effective tax rates, which simplify the marginal tax rates and tax brackets in each state to look at the estimated average total tax you may be paying.
Note that your tax situation may be much different than the estimates provided here. Use these as a high-level comparison tool.
Federal & State Income Taxes when Moving to Florida from Tennessee
Overall, you’ll likely be looking at an income tax savings when moving to Florida from Tennessee.
Florida Income Tax (effective rates)
0.00% (single) & 0.00% (joint)
Florida doesn’t have a state income tax.
Effective Rates: Federal + State Income Taxes
15.67%
the effective income tax rate (state + federal) is about the same in both Florida and Tennessee.
Tax Comparison Calculator
Effective income tax rates (Federal + State):
- Florida: 15.67% (single), 15.50% (joint)
- Tennessee: 15.67% (single), 15.47% (joint)
In Florida, your tax would be . In Tennessee, your tax would be .
You would pay more in than in .
When comparing your overall tax burdens between states, it can help to look at both the state and federal income tax rates.
Remember, this comparison is looking at the effective rates in order to simplify things.
Here’s a high level look at how your effective tax rates may be different after you move to Florida from Tennessee
- State Income Tax (single filers): 0.00% in Florida vs 0.00% in Tennessee
- State Income Tax (joint filers): 0.00% in Florida vs 0.00% in Tennessee
- Federal + State Income Tax (single filers): 15.67% in Florida vs 15.67% in Tennessee
- Federal + State Income Tax (joint filers): 15.50% in Florida vs 15.47% in Tennessee
Sales Tax in Florida vs Tennessee
Next, it’s helpful to consider the differences in sales tax.
Sales tax is a consumption tax you pay when you buy goods and services. It is typically calculated as a percentage of the final price you pay.
Note that many states have a state-wide sales tax and local governments and municipalities can charge an additional sales tax on top of that. This comparison looks at the state-wide sales tax.
Florida Sales Tax
6%
Florida has a state sales tax rate of 6%.
The sales tax rate is lower in Florida. You’ll likely pay less on sales tax in Florida than you did in Tennessee.
Property Taxes in Florida vs Tennessee
If you’re a homeowner, or plan to buy a home in Florida, it’s also a good idea to take a look at the difference in property taxes and home values.
Florida Property Tax Estimate
0.89%
The property tax rate is higher in Florida. You’ll likely pay more for property taxes in Florida than you did in Tennessee.
Home Prices in Florida
$215,300
On average, the average home price is higher in Florida. You’ll likely pay more for a house in Florida than you did in Tennessee.
This is also a good time to back sure you are getting the best deal on your Florida homeowner’s insurance policy.
How Does the Cost of Living Compare in Florida vs Tennessee?
Cost of living is another major difference when moving to a brand new state.
Depending on the local industries, geography, region, and population, the price of different goods and services can vary greatly.
Now, the cost of living will also depend on your own lifestyle, spending habits, and which city you move to in Florida.
Cost of living (COL) indexes are used to compare each state to the national average of 100. The difference between COL values higher or lower than 100 represent the percentage difference from the national average.
We can compare the cost of living indexes for Florida and Tennessee to get a high level idea of whether we’ll be saving money or have to spend a bit more on the following categories:
- Overall Cost of Living.
- Groceries.
- Housing.
- Utilities.
- Transportation.
- Healthcare.
- Miscellaneous goods and service.
Overall, the cost of living in Florida is
2.30% more expensive
than the national average, compared to -9.60% cheaper for Tennessee.
Florida Cost of Living Index
102.3
National Avg: 100
On average, the cost of living is higher in Florida. You’ll likely pay more for many things in Florida than you did in Tennessee.
Cost of Groceries
0.10% more expensive
than the national avg.
Typically, the cost of groceries is higher in Florida. You’ll likely pay more for groceries in Florida than you did in Tennessee.
Housing Costs
10.50% more expensive
than the national avg.
Generally, the cost of housing (rent/mortgage/etc) is higher in Florida. You’ll likely pay more for housing costs in Florida than you did in Tennessee.
Florida Utilities
-3.30% cheaper
than the national avg.
The cost of utilities is typically higher in Florida. You’ll likely pay more for your monthly utility bills in Florida than you did in Tennessee.
Transportation Costs
-0.20% cheaper
than the national avg.
On average, the cost of transportation is higher in Florida. You’ll likely pay more on transportation in Florida than you did in Tennessee.
Healthcare in Florida
-3.70% cheaper
than the national avg.
Generally, healthcare costs are higher in Florida. You’ll likely pay more for healthcare in Florida than you did in Tennessee.
Miscellaneous Costs
-0.60% cheaper
than the national avg.
The cost of miscellaneous goods and services are generally higher in Florida. You’ll likely pay more for these things in Florida than you did in Tennessee.
Relocalate.com Methodology
While big changes like moving to a new state can be exciting, we also know that any move can be stressful. That’s why we created Relocalate.com.
The data and comparisons on this page are designed to give you a high level look at what you can expect when moving from Tennessee to Florida.
Our free moving tools and calculators are here to help you play around with the numbers so you can start working on a budget for your big move to Florida.
We’ve crunched the numbers from census data, federal government resources, state and local data, as well as interviews and chats with people who’ve made the move from Tennessee to Florida.
While there are many things we can’t control when moving to a new state, like the overall cost of living and housing prices, we’ve found that one of the single most effective ways to save money is by getting a better deal on your insurance policies.
That’s why we’ve partnered with trusted insurance providers and some of the best in Florida to bring your free quote tools that you can access while you plan out your move.
Good luck! We wish you the best as you get settled into your home and start feeling like a Florida local.