Best San Diego to Tampa Movers and Practical Moving Guide
Get a Quote Now!
Trusted. Licensed. Insured.
Moving from the sunny shores of San Diego, CA to the vibrant streets of Tampa, FL is an adventure that heralds a new chapter in your life. Leaving behind the laid-back vibe and surf culture of "America's Finest City" for the bustling, diverse atmosphere and the warmth of "The Big Guava" can be both exhilarating and a bit daunting. Understanding the importance of this transition, it's crucial to ensure a smooth and stress-free move by hiring trusted and reliable professional movers, which is where our expertise at Great Guys Moving comes into play, offering you top-rated movers meticulously selected through an unbiased ranking algorithm.
Best San Diego to Tampa Moving Companies
| Company Name | Rating  | BBB Rating | License | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Rock Movers | 9.50 | NR | Authorized For HHG | Contact |
| Coast 2 Coast Moving, Inc. | 9.47 | NR | Authorized For HHG | Contact |
| Let's Get Moving | 9.14 | A+ | Authorized For HHG | Contact |
| Two Men and a Truck | 9.06 | A+ | Authorized For Property, HHG | Contact |
| Atlas Transfer & Storage Co. | 8.95 | A+ | Authorized For HHG | Contact |
(800) 787-5428
Moving in the opposite direction? Here is our moving from Tampa to San Diego guide.
5 Best San Diego to Tampa Moving Companies
These are the top recommended movers based on our unbiased & regularly updated ranking algorithm (NOT paid promotions)
About The Rock Movers
The Rock Movers is a San Diego County-based moving company offering professional and affordable moving services for local and long-distance ...Read More >>
Services
- Local Residential
- Furniture Moving
- Full Packing Service
About Coast 2 Coast Moving, Inc.
Coast 2 Coast Moving, Inc. is a professional moving company based in San Diego, California. Founded by Donal and Jessica O'Neill, the compan...Read More >>
Services
- Local Moves
- Long-Distance Moves
- Packing Services
About Let's Get Moving
This locally-owned moving company has been serving the St. Petersburg, FL, area since 2004. Let's Get Moving is a well-known Florida moving ...Read More >>
Services
- Commercial moving services
- Residential moving services
- Local moving services
About Two Men and a Truck
Two Men and a Truck is a full-service, national moving company in Florida with over 35 years of experience. With a comprehensive range of se...Read More >>
Services
- Local moving
- Junk removal
- Storage
Interstate Moving License
USDOT / MC Status Entity Type | 2113690 / FF-19726
812151 Authorized For Property, HHG Carrier |
| Registered Trucks/Vans | 10 |
| Registered Drivers | 13 |
| Total Annual Miles Moved | 310,000 (2023) |
About Atlas Transfer & Storage Co.
Founded in 1925, Atlas Transfer & Storage Company has been serving Southern California for over 95 years. This family-owned and operated...Read More >>
Services
- Long Distance Moving
- International Moving
- Storage Services
Dependable Rankings You Can Count On!
Our rankings are data-driven — movers cannot purchase a spot on our list. Here's why you can have confidence in our recommendations:
- No Paid Placements: Every company earns its spot through merit, not payment.
- Extensive Analysis: Evaluated over 24,000 movers across the country for our rankings.
Dependable Rankings You Can Count On!
Our rankings are data-driven — movers cannot purchase a spot on our list. Here's why you can have confidence in our recommendations:
- No Paid Placements: Every company earns its spot through merit, not payment.
- Extensive Analysis: Evaluated over 24,000 movers across the country for our rankings.
San Diego vs. Tampa Neighborhood Comparison
Moving across the country can be a daunting task, especially when you're not familiar with your new city's neighborhoods. To help ease this transition, we're making a comparison of the local neighborhoods between San Diego, CA & Tampa, FL . By aligning the characteristics of popular neighborhoods in San Diego with their counterparts in Tampa, we aim to help you find a new home that feels familiar.
| San Diego | Tampa | How They're Similar |
|---|---|---|
| La Jolla | Hyde Park | Upscale, beach-like vibe |
| Pacific Beach | South Tampa | Vibrant nightlife, young professionals |
| North Park | Seminole Heights | Hip, artsy, and craft beer scene |
| Gaslamp Quarter | Ybor City | Rich history, lively entertainment scene |
| Hillcrest | Palma Ceia | Progressive, with a sense of community |
| Little Italy | Channelside | Diverse food scene, waterfront living |
| Point Loma | Bayshore Beautiful | Scenic views, affluent area |
| Del Mar | Westchase | Family-friendly, suburban feel |
| Coronado | Davis Islands | Exclusive, island community |
| Carmel Valley | New Tampa | Modern suburban, with amenities |
In comparing these neighborhoods, you'll find that both San Diego and Tampa offer unique yet parallel living experiences. For example, if you enjoy La Jolla's upscale beach-like vibe, with its world-class restaurants like George's at the Cove, you may find Hyde Park in Tampa appealing, where you can enjoy a similar ambiance and dine at refined establishments like Bern's Steak House. Seminole Heights offers an artsy and craft beer atmosphere reminiscent of North Park, with local breweries like Angry Chair Brewing drawing in crowds. For those who appreciate the rich history and lively entertainment scene of Gaslamp Quarter, Ybor City provides a vibrant nightlife along with historic sites such as the Ybor City State Museum. No matter your lifestyle, Tampa has neighborhoods that mirror the spirit of San Diego's best, making your new city feel just like home.
Ready to start your move?
Pros and Cons of Moving from San Diego to Tampa
Moving from one city to another is a hefty decision packed with potential ups and downs. This comparison aims to provide an honest reflection of both San Diego, CA's downsides and Tampa, FL's benefits, breeding a clearer landscape of what this relocation holds. Understanding each city's unique offerings is pivotal for making an informed transition.
San Diego, CA- High cost of living
- Limited thunderstorms
- Less humidity
Tampa, FL- More affordable housing
- Frequent thunderstorms
- Higher humidity
Tampa, FL- Hotter summers
- More suburban feel
- More seafood options
San Diego, CA- Mild winters
- Vibrant urban culture
- Better Mexican food
San Diego and Tampa offer distinct living experiences tailored for different preferences. San Diego, with its mild winters and vibrant cultural offerings like the bustling streets of Little Italy, notable for exquisite dining options such as Filippi's Pizza Grotto, provides an unmatched urban lifestyle. On the flip side, Tampa's affordability and unique weather patterns invite a diverse lifestyle with the allure of waterfront living, personified by neighborhoods like Hyde Park, where institutions like Oxford Exchange offer a combined shopping and dining experience unlike any other. Yet, Tampa's increased humidity and warmer summers might take some getting used to, trading off San Diego's temperate climate for Florida's lush, subtropical environment.
San Diego vs. Tampa Food Guide
Understanding the essence of local food is crucial when moving to a new place, as it deeply reflects the area's culture and lifestyle. In this guide, we'll compare the local cuisine between San Diego & Tampa to give you a taste of what to expect in your new home.
| San Diego | Tampa | |
|---|---|---|
| Most iconic local food item | Fish Tacos | Cuban Sandwich |
| Most popular meat dish | Carne Asada | Deviled Crab |
| Most popular street food item | California Burrito | Empanadas |
| Most popular vegan food | Acai Bowl | Jackfruit Tacos |
| Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the city |
|
|
| Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 |
| Abundance of Food Trucks | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 |
| Foodie Scene | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 |
| Vegan Friendly | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 |
In San Diego, the vibrant food scene is epitomized by its fresh fish tacos, found ubiquitously from beachfront eateries to downtown diners. Dive into the city's much-loved Carne Asada at places like Lolita's Mexican Food. For those leading a plant-based lifestyle, the city offers an array of vegan options, with Acai Bowls being the go-to. Meanwhile, Tampa is renowned for its Cuban Sandwich, best enjoyed at historic spots such as the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City. Tampa's food scene also highlights a penchant for seafood and Cuban-inspired cuisine, ensuring a diverse and flavorful dining experience.
San Diego vs. Tampa Restaurant Comparison
Food is key in turning a new city into your home, so it's important to find eateries that resonate with you. This comparison aims to assist in discovering your next favorite spots by leveraging your love for certain San Diego restaurants. Here, we present a restaurant comparison guide to help navigate the dining scene from San Diego to Tampa , ensuring a smoother culinary transition.
| San Diego | Tampa | What You'll Love |
|---|---|---|
| Addison | Bern's Steak House | Both offer an upscale dining experience with a focus on meticulously crafted dishes. |
| Phil's BBQ | 4 Rivers Smokehouse | Known for their dedication to classic smoked meats, reflecting Phil's BBQ’s passion for barbecue. |
| Las Cuatro Milpas | La Segunda Central Bakery | Offering a dive into cultural cuisine, from Mexican in San Diego to Cuban in Tampa. |
| Hodad's | Engine No. 9 | Both have a local cult following for their iconic burgers and casual, quirky atmosphere. |
| Juniper & Ivy | Edison: Food+Drink Lab | Innovative cuisine that pushes the boundaries, similar to Juniper & Ivy’s culinary creativity. |
| George's at the Cove | Ocean Prime | A focus on fine seafood and steak with stunning views to match the dining experience. |
| Café Gratitude | Farmacy Vegan Kitchen + Bakery | Both emphasize plant-based cuisine, showcasing the versatility and flavors of vegan food. |
| Puesto | Green Lemon | Both are modern, upbeat locations for Mexican cuisine with a creative twist on tacos and drinks. |
| Pizza Port | Cappy's Pizzeria | Family-friendly spots known for their unique pizzas and a welcoming, laid-back vibe. |
| Oscar's Mexican Seafood | TacoSon | Authentic tacos and Mexican seafood echoing the freshness and flavors found at Oscar’s. |
Moving from San Diego to Tampa doesn't mean you have to leave your culinary comforts behind. Places like Bern's Steak House in Tampa offer a love for the refined dining experience that can be found at Addison, with both boasting impressive wine lists. On the casual side, if Hodad's was your go-to in San Diego, Engine No. 9 in Tampa steps up with its selection of creative burgers and a similar laid-back feel. For those who lean towards plant-based dining, Café Gratitude’s ethos finds a counterpart in Farmacy Vegan Kitchen + Bakery, where the focus on wholesome, vegan meals creates a vibrant and health-conscious dining scene. This guide aims to make your transition as flavorful as possible, ensuring that Tampa welcomes you with tastes that remind you of home.
Ready to start your move?
San Diego vs. Tampa Real Estate & Living Facts
Real estate is one of the most important aspects of a move. Knowing how the housing aspects of San Diego and Tampa compare can significantly impact your decision. This section will focus on comparing critical housing factors , offering a snapshot of what to expect in both cities.
| Comparison | San Diego | Tampa |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Architecture Style | Spanish Colonial, Modern | Mediterranean, Bungalow |
| Walkability | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 |
| Bikeability | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 |
| Urban Lifestyle | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ |
| Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Ocean Views, Outdoor Living | Lakefront, Proximity to Beaches |
When comparing San Diego and Tampa, it becomes apparent that each city offers a unique living experience shaped significantly by their housing markets. In San Diego, the allure of ocean views and outdoor living spaces predominates, reflecting the city's higher median home prices and strong urban lifestyle score. Conversely, Tampa's real estate is more accessible, with a lower median home price and rent, and listings frequently highlight lakefront properties and proximity to beaches, offering a blend of urban and natural living. The architectural styles further emphasize the local heritage and lifestyle of each location, with San Diego leaning towards Spanish Colonial and Modern designs, while Tampa showcases Mediterranean influences and charming Bungalows. These differences not only affect your lifestyle but also how you commute and interact with your surroundings, making it crucial to consider what fits best for you.
San Diego vs. Tampa Weather Considerations
When relocating from San Diego, CA to Tampa, FL, it's crucial to understand how the weather in these cities compares, ensuring you're well-prepared for the change. This comparison covers various weather aspects, providing a clear glimpse into what to expect in your new environment.
San Diego, CA
Tampa, FL
Average Summer High/Low (°F)
Average Summer High/Low (°F)
San Diego, CA
Tampa, FL
Average Winter High/Low (°F)
Average Winter High/Low (°F)
San Diego, CA
Tampa, FL
Annual Rainfall (Inches)
Annual Rainfall (Inches)
San Diego, CA
Tampa, FL
Annual Snowfall (Inches)
Annual Snowfall (Inches)
| Comparison | San Diego | Tampa |
|---|---|---|
| Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
| Natural Disasters | Wildfires, Earthquakes | Hurricanes, Flooding |
| Days of Sunshine per Year | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ |
| Avg. UV Index | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ |
| Avg. Annual Humidity | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 |
In transitioning from San Diego to Tampa, you'll notice a significant shift in weather patterns. San Diego enjoys a milder climate with less humidity and fewer rainy days, contributing to its high number of sunny days. In contrast, Tampa's weather is characterized by higher temperatures, increased humidity, and a greater likelihood of experiencing thunderstorms and hurricanes. This means you might need to adjust not just your wardrobe but also prepare your new home for different weather-related challenges, such as ensuring proper air conditioning and flood protection measures are in place.
Ready to start your move?
Money, Economy, and Job Market Considerations for Moving from San Diego to Tampa
When planning a move from one city to another, it's crucial to understand the financial implications associated with your new home. This comparison between San Diego and Tampa's money and finance will help you gauge how your cost of living, taxes, and the local economy might shift. Knowing these differences will enable you to better prepare for your transition.
| Comparison | San Diego | Tampa |
|---|---|---|
| Avg. Household Income | $93,042 | $63,404 |
| Cost of Living Index | 132.3 | 92.4 |
| State Income Tax | 13.3 | 0 |
| Avg. Property Tax | 0.76 | 0.97 |
| Avg. Sales Tax | 7.75 | 7.0 |
| Top 3 Industries | Military, Tourism, International Trade | Healthcare, Retail, Finance |
| Affluence | High | Moderate |
| Poverty | Moderate | Higher |
| Homelessness | Significant | Moderate |
As you consider moving from San Diego to Tampa, it's important to note that Tampa offers a lower cost of living, with no state income tax, which could significantly boost your disposable income. However, average household incomes are also lower in Tampa, which reflects the local economy's differences in wage scales. The industries dominating these cities diverge, suggesting a shift in potential employment opportunities and economic environments you might encounter. While both cities are vibrant in their ways, the financial landscapes are distinctly tailored to their regional strengths, which could influence your lifestyle and savings positively or negatively depending on your profession and spending habits.
San Diego vs. Tampa Political & Religious Comparison
When considering a move from San Diego, CA, to Tampa, FL, it’s essential to understand not just the climate and cost of living differences but also the cultural shifts you might encounter. This guide provides a comparison of the politics and religious makeup between San Diego & Tampa , offering you a quick snapshot to gauge how well you might fit in or adapt to your new surroundings.
| San Diego | Tampa | |
|---|---|---|
| Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Swing City |
| Local Politics | Progressive on environmental and social issues | Moderate, with a mix of progressive and conservative leaders |
| Religion | Varied religious landscape, strong non-religious community | Diverse, with a significant Christian community Local Churches |
The political and religious landscapes of San Diego and Tampa offer a stark contrast that may appeal to or deter potential movers. In San Diego, the population leans heavily Democratic, which is reflected in its progressive stances on environmental and social issues. Conversely, Tampa showcases a swing city persona, with its local politics offering a more moderate outlook, oscillating between progressive and conservative leaders. This dynamic creates a different community vibe, one where debates and policies can see considerable fluctuation. Additionally, while both cities boast diverse religious communities, Tampa has a more pronounced Christian presence, contributing a different cultural and community backdrop for new residents. This aspect might affect your social and community engagements, offering new avenues for connections depending on your personal beliefs and interests.
San Diego vs. Tampa Traffic and Public Transit Considerations
Making a move cross-country, you'll likely find a drastic change in your day-to-day commute. This comparison between San Diego & Tampa will give you a clearer picture of what to expect in terms of traffic and transportation options in your new city.
| Comparison | San Diego | Tampa |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Commute Time (in minutes) | 24.7 | 25.4 |
| Traffic Congestion | 🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦 | 🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦 |
| Availability of Public Transit | 🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇 | 🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇 |
| Can you get by without car? | It's tough but possible | Challenging |
Moving from San Diego, you might be familiar with a rather manageable average commute time and a slightly better public transit system compared to Tampa. San Diego offers a range of transit options such as the MTS buses and trolleys, which make navigating the city without a car feasible, though still challenging. In contrast, Tampa, having a slightly longer average commute time and less robust public transit options, makes car dependency more prominent. You'll find that getting around in Tampa without a car can be more challenging, as the city's public transit system, including HART buses, covers less ground and operates less frequently compared to San Diego's.
Popular San Diego, CA to Florida Moving Routes
Popular Moving Routes
Nearby Moving Routes
