Moving from Tampa, FL to Orlando, FL
Moving from Tampa, FL to Orlando, FL covers 90 mi and about 1h 50m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
90 mi · 1h 50m by car · FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 4, FL 417 TOLL, CR 15 |
| Major cities en route | St Petersburg, Clearwater, Lakeland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tampa | Orlando | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.89 | 101.418 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.525 | 87.196 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.47 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.839 | 123.374 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Tampa (100.89) and Orlando (101.418) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Home prices line up — $374,888 vs $374,136 on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Tampa -3.5%, Orlando -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Tampa | Orlando |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75°F | 73°F |
| January avg low | 53°F | 50°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 49.5" | 51.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Orlando — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: TAMPA INTL AP, FL US, ORLANDO INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tampa | Orlando |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 393,389 | 311,732 |
| Median household income | $71,302 | $69,268 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.3% | 26.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.45 | 2.46 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Orlando MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 181,030 | $39,680 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 159,660 | $30,310 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 150,100 | $35,810 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 118,970 | $36,790 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 93,670 | $73,450 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Orlando average 92°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Orlando averages 51.5 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November — stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Orlando compare to Tampa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,120 in the Orlando MSA vs $46,420 in the Tampa MSA, on total employment of 1,366,800 and 1,412,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Tampa to Orlando?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 90 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Orlando, FL from Tampa, FL?
The driving distance is 90 mi and the route typically takes 1h 50m via I 4 and FL 417 TOLL. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Orlando compared to Tampa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $374,136 in Orlando vs $374,888 in Tampa — a 0.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Tampa and Orlando?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 73.0°F in Orlando vs 74.5°F in Tampa (1.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 51.5 in vs 49.5 in.
Is Orlando more expensive than Tampa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Orlando is 0.5% higher than Tampa (101.418 vs 100.89, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Tampa vs Orlando?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,268 in Orlando vs $71,302 in Tampa — a 2.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tampa.
City profiles: Tampa, FL · Orlando, FL.