Key factors that impact the cost of your Little Rock to St. Petersburg move
What to know before moving from Little Rock to St. Petersburg
Moving from Little Rock to St. Petersburg comes with exciting new opportunities โ but also higher living costs. Since St. Petersburg is generally more expensive than Little Rock, itโs important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
Little Rock | St. Petersburg | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,100 | $2,075 |
Average home value | $209,020 | $360,584 |
Average income (per capita) | $56,928 | $64,374 |
Cost of living (single person) | $1,756 | $2,642 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $4,149 | $6,178 |
Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 4.6% |
Sales tax | 8.63% | 7.0% |
State income tax | 2.0% | 0.0% |
- Rent prices in St. Petersburg are 89% higher than in Little Rock, which means youโll have less money in your pocket each month.
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In terms of homeownership, youโll be able to get more for your money in Little Rock.
Home prices in St. Petersburg are 72.5% higher than in Little Rock. - Income in St. Petersburg is 13.1% higher than in Little Rock, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in St. Petersburg include Jabil, FADV Holdings, and Raymond James.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in St. Petersburg, since the cost of living for a single person in St. Petersburg is 50.5% higher than in Little Rock. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If youโre moving your family to St. Petersburg, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in St. Petersburg is 48.9% higher than in Little Rock.
- The unemployment rate in St. Petersburg is 22.03% lower than in Little Rock.
- Youโll spend less on retail and restaurants in St. Petersburg, since the cityโs sales taxes in St. Petersburg are 18.89% lower than in Little Rock.
- One perk of moving to St. Petersburg is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Little Rock.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,513.67 in St. Petersburg to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Little Rock.
How life is different in Little Rock vs. St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg | Little Rock | |
---|---|---|
Population | 259,343 | 202,591 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 6 | 3 |
Walkability score | 43 | 33 |
Bike friendliness score | 59 | 32 |
Crime Index | 39.54 | 60.06 |
Safety Index | 60.46 | 39.94 |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
- The population of St. Petersburg is about 28% greater than Little Rock, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
- St. Petersburg offers better access to buses and trains than Little Rock, based on public transportation ratings. St. Petersburg has a transit score of 6 out of 10 compared to 3 in Little Rock. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
- Living in St. Petersburg means youโll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Little Rock. St. Petersburg is considered more walkable than Little Rock, with a score of 43 out of 100 versus 33 out of 100 in Little Rock. A cityโs walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
- If cycling is your thing, St. Petersburg is considered more bike-friendly than Little Rock in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. St. Petersburg has a bike-friendliness score of 59 out of 100, while Little Rock is rated as 32 out of 100.
- St. Petersburg has a lower crime rate than Little Rock based on scores of 39.54 and Little Rock's 60.06, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
- You might find more confidence in your overall safety in St. Petersburg than in Little Rock, based on St. Petersburgโs safety index of 60.46 versus 39.94 for Little Rock. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
- You can breathe easy knowing that St. Petersburg has better air quality than in Little Rock. St. Petersburg has Good air quality, compared to moderate in Little Rock. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.
Other things to consider for your Little Rock vs. St. Petersburg move
- Weather: St. Petersburg has hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters.
- HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- State licensing: Individuals and companies engaging in for-profit local and intrastate moving within the Sunshine State must register each year with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services โ Division of Consumer Services. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Florida moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving permits: Florida does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to St. Petersburg. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.Released Value Protection stands out as a cost-effective choice, provided by movers at no extra expense, although it comes with limited coverage. In this option, the mover's liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. To ensure comprehensive coverage matching the full value of your items, consult with your chosen moving company about alternative options or explore third-party insurance providers. Secure the best protection for your belongings during the move with these tailored coverage choices.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.
Where to live in St. Petersburg
Now that you've decided to make the move to "Always in Season", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in St. Petersburg.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- North Downtown
- North Shore
- Crescent Lake
- Uptown
- University Park
Best neighborhoods for families
- Crescent Heights
- Holiday Park
- Euclid-St. Paul
- Magnolia Heights
- Snell Isle
Things to do in St. Petersburg
Once youโre settled into your new home in Florida, itโs time to get out and discover what St. Petersburg has to offer. No matter your interests, thereโs something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: St. Petersburg features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including the The Dali Museum, Chihuly Collection, Duncan McClellan Gallery, Imagine Museum, and James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art.
- Outdoor recreation: The cityโs Sawgrass Lake Park, Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, Vinoy Park, and Skyway Fishing Pier State Park โ among other spots โ perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Little Rock to St. Petersburg?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Little Rock to St. Petersburg are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Little Rock are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Little Rock to St. Petersburg?
With many people choosing to move from Little Rock to St. Petersburg in spring or fall, winter moves often come with better rates. Take a look at our moving discounts guide to find out how to save.
How long does a move from Little Rock to St. Petersburg take?
Moving from Little Rock, AR to St. Petersburg, FL covers 996 miles and usually takes two to seven days. Need to move faster? Some Little Rock movers offer expedited options. If youโre not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in St. Petersburg.