Moving from Phoenix to Orlando

The Story

Phoenix-to-Orlando is Sun Belt + theme park move. AZ 2.5% → FL 0% saves $2,500+/yr. Housing 6% cheaper, COL 9% lower. Pull: Disney World, Universal Studios, theme park economy (Imagineering, hospitality, tech), no state income tax, lakes/beaches close, growing tech scene (Lockheed, EA Tiburon).

Why This Move

Why people move from Phoenix to Orlando.

Disney World + Universal Studios entertainment economy
No state income tax (saves $2,500+/yr)
Theme park economy — Imagineering, hospitality, tech, design
Lockheed Martin Orlando + EA Tiburon (Madden NFL)
Lakes + close to beaches (45 min)
Lower housing costs (6% cheaper)
Growing tech scene + medical city
No SALT cap concern

Cost Comparison

The money side of AZ → FL.

Phoenix

Median home$440,000
Income tax2.5% (AZ flat)
Cost index109

Orlando

Median home$415,000
Income taxNone (FL)
Cost index99

What to Do in Orlando

Things you'll want to know about your new city.

Bookmark this page — these are the icons of Orlando, organized by what kind of day you're planning.

Outdoors & Recreation

Lake Eola Park — Downtown lake, swan boats, farmers market Sundays
Harry P. Leu Gardens — 50-acre botanical garden in Orlando
Wekiwa Springs State Park — Crystal-clear spring; tubing, kayaking

Culture & Arts

Orlando Museum of Art — Notable American art collection

Family-Friendly

Walt Disney World — Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom
Universal Orlando Resort — Universal Studios + Islands of Adventure + Volcano Bay
SeaWorld Orlando — Marine park with rides; Discovery Cove sister park
Kennedy Space Center (1 hr east) — Active rocket launch site; Atlantis exhibit
ICON Park — International Drive entertainment complex; Ferris wheel
Gatorland — 1949 'Alligator Capital of the World'; zip line over alligators

Where to Eat

Orlando's essential restaurants.

The dining list every Orlando resident knows by heart. Save the spots, work through them.

Capa Spanish Lake Buena Vista (Four Seasons)

Michelin-starred Spanish from Andrew Zimmerman
Soseki Modern Omakase Japanese Winter Park

Counter-style omakase
Kadence Sushi tasting Audubon Park

9-seat omakase counter
Sette Italian Lake Nona

Modern Italian; chef Eric Schmidt
Black Rooster Taqueria Mexican Mills 50 District

Cult-favorite tacos
The Boheme American Downtown (Grand Bohemian)

Hotel restaurant with chef-driven menu
Chau's Cafe Vietnamese Mills 50

Best banh mi in town
Ravenous Pig Gastropub Winter Park

Farm-to-table; brewery

Where to Live

Best Orlando neighborhoods for Phoenix transplants.

Mapped to the Phoenix neighborhoods that probably feel like home to you.

Thornton Park

If Roosevelt Row was your scene — walkable urban, restaurants
College Park

If Downtown Phoenix was your vibe — charming, walkable
Winter Park

If Arcadia was your goal — affluent old-money, top schools
Lake Nona (suburb)

If Anthem was your model — master-planned, medical city
Baldwin Park (suburb)

If you wanted new urbanist — walkable, planned
Audubon Park

If you wanted artsy — eclectic, indie

Climate & Walkability

What daily life feels like in Orlando.

Climate

Humid subtropical. Hot, humid summers (72-93°F, May-Oct) with daily afternoon thunderstorms. Mild winters (50-72°F). Hurricane season June-November (inland is safer than coast). 233 sun days/year.

Summer72-92°F
Winter50-72°F
Sun days/yr233
Rainfall51 inches

Walkability

Walk Score41/100
Transit Score33/100
Bike Score55/100

Orlando is car-dependent — most errands require driving.

Outdoors & Recreation

Wekiwa Springs State Park — crystal spring, tubing, swimming
Lake Eola — downtown park with swan boats
Kayaking on Winter Park's Chain of Lakes
St. Cloud Lake — boating, fishing
Atlantic beaches (1 hr east) — Cocoa Beach, New Smyrna
Gulf beaches (90 min west) — Clearwater, St. Pete

Reality Check

What changes about your daily life.

AZ 2.5% becomes FL 0% — saves $2,500+/year on $100K
Housing 6% cheaper — $440K Phoenix becomes $415K Orlando
COL 9% lower
Climate flips desert dry to humid subtropical
Hurricane season Jun-Nov (vs constant heat)
Property tax FL 0.9% vs AZ 0.6% (slightly higher)
Phoenix tech → Orlando defense/sim/hospitality pivot
Sports — gain Magic, lose Suns/Diamondbacks/Cardinals

Driving Routes

How to drive there.

I-10 E to I-75 S

2,030 miles via El Paso, Houston, Tallahassee. 31 hours / 4 days.

Move Logistics

What it takes to move 2,030 miles.

Full-service (3BR)$7,500-$13,500
Container/PODS$5,000-$8,000
DIY (26-ft truck)$3,800-$6,500
Best monthsOct-May (avoid summer + hurricane peak)
Lead time10-12 weeks ahead

USDOT-registered.

Common Questions