Moving from Miami to St. Petersburg, FL
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Quick answer: Moving from Miami to St. Petersburg costs between $346 to $6,001 depending on your home's size and if you hire a moving company or move yourself, based on data from our moving cost calculator.
Most moves on this 269-mile route within Florida take 1 to 4 days from packing to delivery.
Compare moving options from Miami to St. Petersburg
The 4 most common types of movers when moving from Miami to St. Petersburg are full-service movers, labor-only movers, moving containers, and rental trucks.
- Full-service movers handle everything from packing in Miami to driving and unloading in St. Petersburg, but cost the most
- Labor-only services work well if you only want a crew for the heavy lifting
- Moving containers balance price and effort, but you handle loading or hire labor separately
- Rental trucks are the cheapest if you're comfortable driving 269 miles and require your full effort or hiring labor
| Move type | Top pick | Average cost | Best for | Main downside |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service mover | Safeway Moving | $1,622 - $4,651 | Movers handle loading, driving, and unloading | Highest price of all options |
| Moving container | PODS | $1,304 - $2,320 | Pack and load on your own schedule | You handle all loading and unloading |
| Rental truck | Budget Truck Rental | $371 - $761 | Lowest upfront cost | You drive, load, and unload everything yourself |
| Labor-only | Moving Apt Inc. | $65/hr | Need a loading crew and already have a truck | You arrange your own transport between cities |
How much does it cost to move from Miami to St. Petersburg?
It costs between $346 to $6,001 to move from Miami to St. Petersburg. The prices below break down your 269-mile move costs by type of moving service and home size.
- Full service movers: $1,044 - $6,001
- Moving containers: $990 - $3,240
- Rental trucks: $346 - $852
| Home size | Full-service mover | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,044 - $3,910 | $990 - $1,707 | $346 - $618 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,622 - $4,651 | $1,304 - $2,320 | $371 - $761 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,189 - $6,001 | $1,651 - $3,240 | $468 - $852 |
Extra costs to budget for
Most quotes won't include these line items by default — confirm each one with your mover or rental company before booking.
| Extra cost | Typical range | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Packing service | $357 - $2,975+ | Full-service movers |
| Loading labor | $65/hr per mover | Moving containers, rental trucks |
| Storage | About $110/month | Moving containers |
| Shuttle fee | $238 - $952 | Full-service movers |
| Equipment rental | $60 - $238 | Rental trucks |
| Added protection | 1% - 2% of declared value | All move types |
Best movers from Miami to St. Petersburg
At 269 miles, your Miami to St. Petersburg move sits in a range where both national and local companies can handle it well, but they serve different needs. We've listed our top pick from each category below.
Best movers for larger homes and complex logistics
Safeway Moving is our top-rated full-service pick for larger moves from Miami to St. Petersburg. With 14 years in the moving industry and service throughout Florida, they're a strong fit for intrastate moves of 269 miles.
Best movers for smaller homes and apartment moves
First Class Moving Systems, Inc. is the best mover for smaller homes and apartments from Miami to St. Petersburg. They've been in business since 2002 (24 years of experience) and 85.1% of their 87 verified reviews are positive.
More Florida moving resources
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our St. Petersburg to Miami guide.
Considerations when moving from Miami to St. Petersburg
Cost of living: Miami vs. St. Petersburg
When comparing the cost of living between Miami and St. Petersburg, you need to look beyond housing prices. This section breaks down some key financial factors, including rent, home values, income, day-to-day expenses, and employment rates, to help you understand how life in St. Petersburg stacks up against Miami.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Miami | St. Petersburg | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $2,990 | $2,075 |
| Average home cost | $473,979 | $327,967 |
| Average income (per capita) | $59,390 | $73,118 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $3,103 | $2,642 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $7,450 | $6,178 |
| Unemployment rate | 8.3% | 4.6% |
| Average Sales Tax | 7.0% | 7.0% |
- Rent in St. Petersburg is about 31% cheaper than in Miami, so you’ll have more money to put toward savings, fun, or whatever you like.
- Home prices in St. Petersburg are 31% lower than in Miami, making it easier for you to break into the housing market and land a more affordable mortgage and leaving you with extra money for other priorities.
- Salaries here average 23% higher than in Miami. If your pay matches local rates, you could see a real boost to your financial well-being.
- Cost of living for one person in St. Petersburg is 15% lower than in Miami. You’ll likely have extra room in your budget, perfect for saving, spending, or investing.
- The cost of living for a family in St. Petersburg is 17% lower than in Miami. This can make the move financially beneficial if your family is looking to save or improve your quality of life.
- Unemployment in St. Petersburg is 45% lower than in Miami. That means you’ll enjoy a stronger job market, more opportunities, and greater economic stability in your new city.
- Since sales taxes are the same in St. Petersburg and Miami, you won’t see a difference in how much you pay for everyday taxable expenses.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,550 in St. Petersburg to maintain the same standard of life that you could have with $3,000 in Miami.
How life is different in Miami vs. St. Petersburg
Before you make a move, it’s important to see how life stacks up in St. Petersburg vs. Miami. Everything from weather and the population to cost of living, politics, and safety can shape your day-to-day experience. Check out this side-by-side comparison to decide which city suits your lifestyle and priorities best.
| Miami | St. Petersburg | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 442,241 | 259,343 |
| Political leaning | Republican 48-49 | Democratic 49.8-48.3 |
| Summer high | 89ºF | 90ºF |
| Winter low | 61ºF | 53ºF |
| Annual rain | 59" | 51" |
| Annual snow | 0" | 0" |
| Crime index | 52.54 | 39.54 |
St. Petersburg sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- You’ll notice that St. Petersburg has about 41% fewer people than Miami. Moving to a smaller city usually means more tranquility, extra room, and lower expenses, though you might give up some big-city conveniences.
- In the last presidential election, St. Petersburg leaned Democratic, while Miami went Republican.
- Both St. Petersburg and Miami average summer highs close to 90°F. That means your daily rhythm in summer should feel familiar after the move.
- During the coldest months, St. Petersburg gets chillier than Miami, with lows of 53°F compared to 61°F.
- Miami tends to be wetter than St. Petersburg, averaging 59 inches of annual rainfall compared to St. Petersburg’s 51 inches.
- Both Miami and St. Petersburg receive virtually no snowfall each year, so you won’t have to plan for winter weather in either city.
- St. Petersburg is safer than Miami, boasting a lower crime index of 39.54 compared to Miami’s 52.54.
Things to do in St. Petersburg
Craving adventure, unique culture, or live sports? St. Petersburg has you covered.
Museums in St. Petersburg
- The Dali Museum
- Chihuly Collection
- Duncan McClellan Gallery
- Imagine Museum
- James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art
Parks in St. Petersburg
- Sawgrass Lake Park
- Boyd Hill Nature Preserve
- Vinoy Park
- Skyway Fishing Pier State Park
- Maximo Park
Sports teams in St. Petersburg
- Tampa Bay Rays (MLB)
- Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL Championship Soccer)
- Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL - Located in nearby Tampa)
- St. Petersburg Aquatics
- St. Petersburg Cardinals
Universities in St. Petersburg
- University of South Florida St. Petersburg
- Eckerd College
- St. Petersburg College
FAQ
How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from Miami to St. Petersburg?
If you’re hiring a professional moving company to get your stuff from Miami to St. Petersburg, expect to pay between $884 and $3,047 to move just a few items or a small bedroom. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually run between $1,622 and $4,651. Moving a home with four or more bedrooms? You’re looking at anywhere from $2,189 up to $6,001 for the trip.
How much are moving container companies from Miami to St. Petersburg?
If you’re moving from Miami to St. Petersburg and thinking about using moving containers, here’s what you can expect to pay: For a studio or one-bedroom, prices usually start around $718 and go up to $1,713. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, costs typically fall between $1,304 and $2,320. For larger moves—think four or five bedrooms—expect to spend somewhere between $1,651 and $3,240.
How much is a moving truck from Miami to St. Petersburg?
Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor; these estimates include the estimated fuel cost:
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $346 to $605. A larger move will cost $371 to $761, and a four-bedroom or larger move from Miami to St. Petersburg costs from $468 to $852.
How far in advance should I book Miami-to-St. Petersburg movers?
For the smoothest experience, try to book your move from Miami to St. Petersburg at least two months before your moving date. Planning a summer move? Aim for at least three months in advance, since that’s the busiest season. Locking in your Miami-to-St. Petersburg movers early not only helps you snag your preferred date, but it can also score you the best prices. Some moving companies even sweeten the deal with early-bird discounts when you book ahead.
What time of year is the cheapest to move to St. Petersburg?
To save money on your move to St. Petersburg, plan it between early October and late April. Moving outside the busy May-to-September season means less competition and better rates, helping you avoid peak prices and busy schedules.
