Moving from New Jersey to Florida
Moving from New Jersey to Florida covers about 1,077 miles — a mid-distance interstate move. Whether you drive a rental truck or hire movers, this checklist keeps every step on track.
Generate My ChecklistNJ vs FL at a Glance
Income Tax
Sales Tax
Time Zone
Distance
Moving Cost
Professional move, 2–3 BR home. Summer +20–30%.
What This Move Means for You
Lower cost of living
Florida is about 15% cheaper than New Jersey overall, so your budget should stretch noticeably further — especially on housing.
No state income tax in Florida
Florida charges no state income tax, versus a top rate around 10.75% in New Jersey. For most movers that means a meaningful bump in take-home pay.
Lower property taxes
Florida's effective property tax rate (0.78%) is lower than New Jersey's (1.88%) — a plus if you're buying a home.
A much warmer climate
Florida averages 18°F warmer than New Jersey. Lighten your wardrobe, plan for air conditioning, and pace outdoor tasks on moving day.
Before You Leave New Jersey
File Form NJ-1040 as a part-year resident
New Jersey has no separate part-year form. File Form NJ-1040 and enter the dates of your residency. Report only the income you received while you lived here. File if your income for the whole year was over $10,000. The limit is $20,000 for joint or head of household filers. If you get New Jersey income after you move, also file Form NJ-1040NR.
Source: NJ Division of Taxation, Part-Year ResidentsSurrender your New Jersey plates and keep the receipt
Surrender New Jersey plates you no longer use. For a move, do this after you register the vehicle in your new state. Bring the plates to any MVC agency, or use the drop box outside. You can also mail them to an agency with a self-addressed, stamped envelope. MVC mails you a receipt. Keep it in case MVC links charges to the plates later.
Source: NJ Motor Vehicle Commission, PlatesExpect a suspension notice if you cancel insurance first
Insurers tell MVC when you drop a policy on a New Jersey vehicle. MVC can then send a suspension notice. To resolve it, send MVC your plate surrender receipt. You can also send proof that the vehicle is registered in another state.
Source: NJ Motor Vehicle Commission, Uninsured Motorist Enforcement FAQsPlan for the 2% estimated tax if you sell your home after you move
A nonresident who sells New Jersey real property must make an estimated income tax payment at or before closing. The payment is at least 2% of the sale price, even if you have no gain. A home that meets the federal principal residence rules (26 U.S.C. 121) can qualify for an exemption on Form GIT/REP-3.
Source: NJ Division of Taxation, TB-57(R) Nonresident Sales of Real PropertyPay any MVC insurance surcharges you still owe
Moving out of state does not cancel MVC insurance surcharges. You still owe surcharges for offenses from when you drove as a New Jersey motorist.
Source: NJ Motor Vehicle Commission, Frequently Asked QuestionsAfter You Arrive in Florida
Get a Florida driver license within 30 days
Florida treats you as a resident once you start a job here, enroll your children in public school, register to vote, or file for homestead exemption. Living here for more than six consecutive months also counts. From then, you have 30 days to get a Florida driver license. Apply in person at a local office that offers driver license service, and take a vision test. The initial Class E license fee is $48.00. Most Tax Collector offices add a $6.25 service fee.
Source: FLHSMV, New ResidentTitle and register your vehicle within 10 days
You have 10 days from establishing residency to title and register a vehicle. That is shorter than the license deadline. A vehicle not already titled in Florida also needs its VIN verified on form HSMV 82042. A Florida notary, a licensed Florida dealer, a law enforcement officer, or a tax collector compliance examiner can sign it. They must first inspect the number under the windshield and in the door jamb.
Source: FLHSMV form HSMV 82042Buy Florida insurance before you try to register
You cannot register until you show Florida coverage from a carrier licensed in Florida. The minimums are $10,000 of Personal Injury Protection and $10,000 of Property Damage Liability. Coverage must stay in force for the whole registration period, even if the car sits unused. If you keep your current insurer, ask the agent to convert the policy to a Florida one.
Source: FLHSMV, Florida Insurance RequirementsCheck whether you owe use tax on the car
Florida charges its 6 percent use tax, plus any county discretionary sales surtax, on a vehicle brought in within six months of purchase. If you already paid 6 percent or more elsewhere in the US, nothing more is due. If you paid less, you owe the difference. A vehicle used in another US state or territory for six months or longer before it arrives is presumed not bought for use in Florida. You need documents showing that six-month period to claim this.
Source: Florida Department of Revenue GT-800025File for homestead exemption by March 1
If you buy a home and make it your permanent residence, the homestead exemption takes up to $50,000 off the assessed value. It also caps how fast the assessment can rise. You must own the home and live in it as your permanent residence on January 1. File form DR-501 with your county property appraiser by March 1 of that tax year. Many county appraisers accept the application online. Have these ready: your Florida license number, Florida plate number, Florida voter registration number, a declaration of domicile, and proof that you gave up your previous license.
Source: Florida Department of Revenue PT-113Register to vote at least 29 days before an election
Florida closes voter registration 29 days before an election. The same 29-day cutoff applies to changing party affiliation before a primary. Florida runs closed primaries, so a party change filed after the deadline does not count for that primary.
Source: Florida Division of ElectionsYour Moving Timeline
8 Weeks Before
At about 1,077 miles (~19.5 hours), you can drive a rental truck or hire movers — compare both. If you drive, plan an overnight stop and factor in fuel and lodging.
4 Weeks Before
Notify your utility providers, update your address with USPS, and begin packing non-essential items.
1 Week Before
Confirm with your movers, finish packing, clean your home, and prepare a moving day essentials bag.
Moving Day
Supervise loading, do a final walkthrough of your old home, and hand over the keys.
After the Move
Update your driver's license at the Florida DMV, register to vote in FL, and set up your new utilities.
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Climate Comparison
New Jersey
Humid subtropical with hot, humid summers and cold winters.
Florida
Subtropical with warm temperatures year-round, high humidity, and frequent summer thunderstorms.
Utilities & Cost of Living
New Jersey
Florida
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is it from New Jersey to Florida?
The driving distance from New Jersey to Florida is approximately 1,077 miles — about 19.5 hours of driving at highway speeds.
How much does it cost to move from New Jersey to Florida?
A professional interstate move from New Jersey to Florida typically costs between $4,000 and $7,500, depending on the size of your home and time of year.
- Summer moves (May–September) tend to cost 20–30% more.
What is the cost of living difference between New Jersey and Florida?
New Jersey has a cost of living index of 118.8 versus 100.7 for Florida (US average = 100).
- Overall, Florida is about 15% lower than New Jersey.
How do property taxes compare between New Jersey and Florida?
New Jersey's effective property tax rate is about 1.88%, versus 0.78% in Florida.
- On a typical home that difference lowers your annual holding costs, so factor it in if you plan to buy.
How soon do I need to update my driver's license after moving to Florida?
After establishing residency in Florida, you have 30 days to update your driver's license at a Florida DMV office.
- Vehicle registration is a separate transaction with its own deadline, which in most states differs from the license deadline — confirm both with the Florida DMV before you go.
What is the climate like in Florida?
Florida has subtropical with warm temperatures year-round, high humidity, and frequent summer thunderstorms.
- The annual average temperature is 71°F, with about 54 inches of precipitation per year.
- Average monthly electricity bills run around $156.