Bakersfield, CA to St. Petersburg, FL Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Bakersfield to St. Petersburg typically costs $4,000–$8,600 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 2,574 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Bakersfield to St. Petersburg
Moving from Bakersfield, CA to St. Petersburg, FL typically costs $4,000–$8,600 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 2,574-mile move from Bakersfield to St. Petersburg, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 20, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
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2-3 bedrooms
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4+ bedrooms
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Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- Safeway Moving recently quoted $2,728 for a studio apartment using professional movers.
- Joyce Van Lines recently quoted $3,672 for a 1 bedroom (small) using professional movers.
- 1-800-Pack-Rat recently quoted $4,996 for a 5+ bedroom using a moving container.
Studio apartment
Feb 20, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Feb 14, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Feb 13, 2026
Studio apartment
Feb 10, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Jan 23, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Jan 10, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Jan 07, 2026
Studio apartment
Dec 31, 2025
2 Bedrooms
Dec 25, 2025
Studio apartment
Dec 24, 2025
Factors that impact moving costs from Bakersfield to St. Petersburg
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your move: Costs rise with more belongings. A small one-bedroom move can start at $2,800, but larger homes can run up to $13,600.
- Seasonal timing: Demand peaks in summer — expect premium rates during moving season in Bakersfield.
- Whether you hire pros or do it yourself: Choosing DIY with a truck ($1,600–$4,700) is cheaper, though tougher, than using movers.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from St. Petersburg, FL to Bakersfield, CA guide.
Best Bakersfield to St. Petersburg movers by type
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Local
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Labor Only
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Best professional movers from Bakersfield to St. Petersburg
For a stress-free interstate move from Bakersfield to St. Petersburg, selecting a full-service mover is a wise choice. These professionals cover all aspects of the move, freeing you to focus on the excitement of your new adventure.
Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.
- Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Best overall value
How we chose the best CA→FL movers
Our team at moveBuddha evaluated moving rates from 372 California moving companies, highlighting the top options based on client feedback, reviews, and pricing.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): Services are delivered promptly, with excellent communication, and at the cost initially quoted.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Problems sometimes come up during moves. We favor companies that admit faults and focus on making things right for the customer.
- Industry reputation (15%): Known for its positive standing, the company is respected in the moving industry and contributes through conferences and memberships.
- Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information and responds to online customer inquiries promptly and courteously.
- Service options (10%): Movers that offer a wide range of services — from packing and storage to specialty handling and fast delivery — rank higher in our evaluations.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Bakersfield to St. Petersburg
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - St. Petersburg runs about 6% higher for singles and -11% higher for families than Bakersfield.
Singles spend around $2,642 in St. Petersburg versus $2,493 in Bakersfield; families pay $6,178 compared with $6,940.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Bakersfield | St. Petersburg | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,850 | |
| Average 3 BR rent | $2,450 | |
| Average home value | $389,732 | $360,584 |
| Average income (per capita) | $73,827 | $64,374 |
| Cost of living (single) | $2,493 | $2,642 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $6,940 | $6,178 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 4.6% |
| Sales tax | 8.25% | 7.0% |
| State income tax | 13.3% | 0.0% |
- As you consider relocating to St. Petersburg, note that rent can be roughly 22% more expensive than it is in Bakersfield; adjust your financial plans to accommodate this change.
- Your monthly mortgage budget shouldn’t take a hit, with home prices being about 7% lower in St. Petersburg than in Bakersfield.
- It's important to evaluate your finances first. The average income is around 13% less in St. Petersburg than in Bakersfield.
- Plan for higher expenses in St. Petersburg, since the cost of living for a single person is 6% more than in Bakersfield. This encompasses usual costs like utilities, groceries, apparel, and transit.
- Moving to St. Petersburg could be an economically beneficial choice, reducing your family's regular costs such as groceries, transport, and utilities. The cost of living for a family is 11% less than in Bakersfield.
- St. Petersburg experiences an unemployment rate that is about 22% lower than that of Bakersfield. This is generally a positive sign for those considering a move here, as it reflects a healthy economy.
- Sales taxes are 15% lower in St. Petersburg than in Bakersfield. If you have a larger family or higher consumption habits, the lower sales tax in St. Petersburg can reduce your overall living expenses.
- Florida has no income tax, meaning you keep more of your gross income, which can be a major advantage for salaried workers, freelancers, and retirees with taxable income.
The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing Bakersfield with St. Petersburg:
| Living Expense | Bakersfield | St. Petersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $340.00 | |
| Cell phone plan | $53.67 | |
| Dozen eggs | $2.95 | |
| Loaf of bread | $3.81 | |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $25.00 | |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $67.50 | |
| Gym membership | $36.50 |
How life is different in Bakersfield vs. St. Petersburg
| Bakersfield | St. Petersburg | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 909,235 | 259,343 |
| Transportation score | 4 | 6 |
| Walkability score | 37 | 43 |
| Bike friendliness score | 44 | 59 |
| Crime index | 58.49 | 39.54 |
| Safety index | 41.51 | 60.46 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- St. Petersburg's population is about 71% less than Bakersfield.
- St. Petersburg's public transportation score of 6 out of 10 is higher than Bakersfield's score of 4.
- St. Petersburg is more walkable than Bakersfield with a score of 43 out of 100 vs Bakersfield's 37 out of 100.
- With a score of 59 out of 100, St. Petersburg is more bike-friendly than Bakersfield, which has a score of 44 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited it is to safely accommodating cyclists.
- St. Petersburg's crime rate is lower than Bakersfield with a score of 39.54 compared to Bakersfield's 58.49. This means that St. Petersburg neighborhoods are safer than 39.54% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Bakersfield neighborhoods are safer than 58.49%.
- St. Petersburg is considered to be safer than Bakersfield with a safety index of 60.46 vs Bakersfield's 41.51.
- Air quality in St. Petersburg is Good, and in Bakersfield it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Bakersfield to St. Petersburg move
- HOA rules: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: Reserve elevator access early if your building requires it, to avoid delays on moving 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 – Division of Consumer Services. Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can verify a Florida moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While Florida doesn't mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: File your USPS change of address about a week before moving so mail reaches St. Petersburg smoothly. Start the process 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: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in St. Petersburg
Now that you've chosen Always in Season as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in St. Petersburg to check out.
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
After getting comfortable in your new Florida home, it's time to see what St. Petersburg is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: From historic museums to vibrant art centers, St. Petersburg offers cultural landmarks like the The Dali Museum, Chihuly Collection, Duncan McClellan Gallery, and Imagine Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Sawgrass Lake Park, Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, Vinoy Park, and Skyway Fishing Pier State Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Tampa Bay Rays (MLB)Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL Championship Soccer)Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL - Located in nearby Tampa)St. Petersburg AquaticsSt. Petersburg CardinalsSt. Petersburg Devil RaysSt. Petersburg FCSt. Petersburg Kickers game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Bakersfield to St. Petersburg?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Bakersfield to St. Petersburg are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Bakersfield are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Bakersfield to St. Petersburg?
Because spring and fall moves from Bakersfield to St. Petersburg are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.
How long does a move from Bakersfield to St. Petersburg take?
A move of 2,574 miles from Bakersfield, CA to St. Petersburg, FL generally takes seven to 21 days. Movers in Bakersfield sometimes provide expedited service, while storage in St. Petersburg is a good fallback if you need extra time.
Which movers in Bakersfield offer piano or antique moving?
Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 2 movers in Bakersfield have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 1 specialize in safely moving antiques. Across CA, there are 298 piano movers and 229 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers reach 2,294 and 1,462.
Because not every mover offers these services, ask about specialty experience and insurance coverage when you request quotes.
