Moving from St. Petersburg to Gainesville, FL
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Quick answer: Moving from St. Petersburg to Gainesville costs between $191 to $4,769 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 152-mile route within Florida take 1 to 2 days from packing to delivery.
Compare moving options from St. Petersburg to Gainesville
The 4 most common types of movers when moving from St. Petersburg to Gainesville are full-service movers, labor-only movers, moving containers, and rental trucks.
- Full-service movers handle everything from packing in St. Petersburg to driving and unloading in Gainesville, 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 152 miles and require your full effort or hiring labor
| Move type | Top pick | Average cost | Best for | Main downside |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service mover | Safeway Moving | $1,298 - $3,773 | Movers handle loading, driving, and unloading | Highest price of all options |
| Moving container | PODS | $1,177 - $2,083 | Pack and load on your own schedule | You handle all loading and unloading |
| Rental truck | Budget Truck Rental | $210 - $397 | Lowest upfront cost | You drive, load, and unload everything yourself |
| Labor-only | Big Man's Moving Company, LLC | $185/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 St. Petersburg to Gainesville?
It costs between $191 to $4,769 to move from St. Petersburg to Gainesville. The prices below break down your 152-mile move costs by type of moving service and home size.
- Full service movers: $766 - $4,769
- Moving containers: $891 - $2,517
- Rental trucks: $191 - $474
| Home size | Full-service mover | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $766 - $3,000 | $891 - $1,451 | $191 - $326 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,298 - $3,773 | $1,177 - $2,083 | $210 - $397 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,782 - $4,769 | $1,416 - $2,517 | $245 - $474 |
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 | $309 - $2,575+ | Full-service movers |
| Loading labor | $185/hr per mover | Moving containers, rental trucks |
| Storage | About $100/month | Moving containers |
| Shuttle fee | $206 - $824 | Full-service movers |
| Equipment rental | $52 - $206 | Rental trucks |
| Added protection | 1% - 2% of declared value | All move types |
Best movers from St. Petersburg to Gainesville
At 152 miles, your St. Petersburg to Gainesville 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 St. Petersburg to Gainesville. With 14 years in the moving industry and service throughout Florida, they're a strong fit for intrastate moves of 152 miles.
Best movers for smaller homes and apartment moves
Flex Moving & Storage is the best mover for smaller homes and apartments from St. Petersburg to Gainesville. They've been in business since 2022 (4 years of experience) and 93.4% of their 272 verified reviews are positive.
More Florida moving resources
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Gainesville to St. Petersburg guide.
Considerations when moving from St. Petersburg to Gainesville
Cost of living: St. Petersburg vs. Gainesville
When comparing the cost of living between St. Petersburg and Gainesville, 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 Gainesville stacks up against St. Petersburg.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| St. Petersburg | Gainesville | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $2,075 | $1,600 |
| Average home cost | $327,967 | $234,650 |
| Average income (per capita) | $73,118 | $45,611 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $2,642 | $1,727 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $6,178 | $3,491 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.6% | 4.4% |
| Average Sales Tax | 7.0% | 7.0% |
- Rent in Gainesville is about 23% cheaper than in St. Petersburg, so you’ll have more money to put toward savings, fun, or whatever you like.
- Home prices in Gainesville are 28% lower than in St. Petersburg, 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.
- Income in Gainesville is 38% lower than in St. Petersburg. You might want to watch your budget, especially if local salaries don’t keep up with living expenses.
- Cost of living for one person in Gainesville is 35% lower than in St. Petersburg. You’ll likely have extra room in your budget, perfect for saving, spending, or investing.
- The cost of living for a family in Gainesville is 43% lower than in St. Petersburg. This can make the move financially beneficial if your family is looking to save or improve your quality of life.
- The unemployment rate in Gainesville matches that of St. Petersburg, suggesting you'll find a similar job market and employment opportunities in your new city as you have now.
- Since sales taxes are the same in Gainesville and St. Petersburg, you won’t see a difference in how much you pay for everyday taxable expenses.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,950 in Gainesville to maintain the same standard of life that you could have with $3,000 in St. Petersburg.
How life is different in St. Petersburg vs. Gainesville
Before you make a move, it’s important to see how life stacks up in Gainesville vs. St. Petersburg. 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.
| St. Petersburg | Gainesville | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 259,343 | 141,085 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 49.8-48.3 | Democratic 63-36 |
| Summer high | 90ºF | 92ºF |
| Winter low | 53ºF | 41ºF |
| Annual rain | 51" | 50" |
| Annual snow | 0" | 0" |
| Crime index | 39.54 | 8.0 |
Gainesville sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- You’ll notice that Gainesville has about 46% fewer people than St. Petersburg. 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, both St. Petersburg and Gainesville voted Democratic.
- Both Gainesville and St. Petersburg average summer highs close to 92°F. That means your daily rhythm in summer should feel familiar after the move.
- During the coldest months, Gainesville gets chillier than St. Petersburg, with lows of 41°F compared to 53°F.
- Both St. Petersburg and Gainesville see about the same yearly rainfall—St. Petersburg averages 51 inches, while Gainesville gets 50 inches each year.
- Both St. Petersburg and Gainesville receive virtually no snowfall each year, so you won’t have to plan for winter weather in either city.
- Gainesville is safer than St. Petersburg, boasting a lower crime index of 8.0 compared to St. Petersburg’s 39.54.
Things to do in Gainesville
Craving adventure, unique culture, or live sports? Gainesville has you covered.
Museums in Gainesville
- Florida Museum of Natural History
- Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art
- Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention
- Matheson History Museum
Parks in Gainesville
- Sweetwater Wetlands Park
- Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park
- Depot Park
- Kanapaha Park
- A Nan Buddhist Statue Park
Sports teams in Gainesville
- Florida Gators (SEC)
Universities in Gainesville
- University of Florida
- Santa Fe College
- City College Gainesville
FAQ
How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from St. Petersburg to Gainesville?
If you’re hiring a professional moving company to get your stuff from St. Petersburg to Gainesville, expect to pay between $682 and $2,609 to move just a few items or a small bedroom. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually run between $1,298 and $3,773. Moving a home with four or more bedrooms? You’re looking at anywhere from $1,782 up to $4,769 for the trip.
How much are moving container companies from St. Petersburg to Gainesville?
If you’re moving from St. Petersburg to Gainesville and thinking about using moving containers, here’s what you can expect to pay: For a studio or one-bedroom, prices usually start around $619 and go up to $1,387. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, costs typically fall between $1,177 and $2,083. For larger moves—think four or five bedrooms—expect to spend somewhere between $1,416 and $2,517.
How much is a moving truck from St. Petersburg to Gainesville?
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 $197 to $343. A larger move will cost $210 to $397, and a four-bedroom or larger move from St. Petersburg to Gainesville costs from $245 to $474.
How far in advance should I book St. Petersburg-to-Gainesville movers?
For the smoothest experience, try to book your move from St. Petersburg to Gainesville 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 St. Petersburg-to-Gainesville 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 Gainesville?
To save money on your move to Gainesville, 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.
