Moving from Gainesville to St. Petersburg, FL
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Quick answer: Moving from Gainesville to St. Petersburg costs between $199 to $5,109 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 Gainesville to St. Petersburg
The 4 most common types of movers when moving from Gainesville to St. Petersburg are full-service movers, labor-only movers, moving containers, and rental trucks.
- Full-service movers handle everything from packing in Gainesville 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 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 - $3,926 | Movers handle loading, driving, and unloading | Highest price of all options |
| Moving container | PODS | $1,155 - $2,145 | Pack and load on your own schedule | You handle all loading and unloading |
| Rental truck | Budget Truck Rental | $216 - $397 | Lowest upfront cost | You drive, load, and unload everything yourself |
| Labor-only | TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $156/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 Gainesville to St. Petersburg?
It costs between $199 to $5,109 to move from Gainesville to St. Petersburg. The prices below break down your 152-mile move costs by type of moving service and home size.
- Full service movers: $736 - $5,109
- Moving containers: $873 - $2,466
- Rental trucks: $199 - $469
| Home size | Full-service mover | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $736 - $3,189 | $873 - $1,512 | $199 - $353 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,298 - $3,926 | $1,155 - $2,145 | $216 - $397 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,871 - $5,109 | $1,489 - $2,466 | $250 - $469 |
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 | $276 - $2,300+ | Full-service movers |
| Loading labor | $156/hr per mover | Moving containers, rental trucks |
| Storage | About $70/month | Moving containers |
| Shuttle fee | $184 - $736 | Full-service movers |
| Equipment rental | $46 - $184 | Rental trucks |
| Added protection | 1% - 2% of declared value | All move types |
Best movers from Gainesville to St. Petersburg
At 152 miles, your Gainesville 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 Gainesville to St. Petersburg. 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
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK is the best mover for smaller homes and apartments from Gainesville to St. Petersburg. They've been in business since 2008 (18 years of experience) and 92.0% of their 25 verified reviews are positive.
More Florida moving resources
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our St. Petersburg to Gainesville guide.
Considerations when moving from Gainesville to St. Petersburg
Cost of living: Gainesville vs. St. Petersburg
When comparing the cost of living between Gainesville 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 Gainesville.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Gainesville | St. Petersburg | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,600 | $2,075 |
| Average home cost | $234,650 | $327,967 |
| Average income (per capita) | $45,611 | $73,118 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $1,727 | $2,642 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $3,491 | $6,178 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.4% | 4.6% |
| Average Sales Tax | 7.0% | 7.0% |
- Rent prices in St. Petersburg are 30% higher than in Gainesville. So, you’ll likely need to set aside more for housing, which could shrink your budget for savings or other expenses.
- Home prices in St. Petersburg are 40% higher than in Gainesville, which could make buying a home more challenging. It might require a larger upfront investment and could increase your monthly mortgage payments.
- Salaries here average 60% higher than in Gainesville. If your pay matches local rates, you could see a real boost to your financial well-being.
- Living expenses for one person in St. Petersburg are 53% higher than in Gainesville, so you'll probably need to tweak your budget to cover the extra expenses.
- Living costs here run about 77% higher than in Gainesville. Essentials like housing, childcare, and healthcare all come with a steeper price tag, making St. Petersburg one of the more expensive cities for families.
- The unemployment rate in St. Petersburg matches that of Gainesville, 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 St. Petersburg and Gainesville, you won’t see a difference in how much you pay for everyday taxable expenses.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,590 in St. Petersburg to maintain the same standard of life that you could have with $3,000 in Gainesville.
How life is different in Gainesville vs. St. Petersburg
Before you make a move, it’s important to see how life stacks up in St. Petersburg vs. Gainesville. 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.
| Gainesville | St. Petersburg | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,085 | 259,343 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 63-36 | Democratic 49.8-48.3 |
| Summer high | 92ºF | 90ºF |
| Winter low | 41ºF | 53ºF |
| Annual rain | 50" | 51" |
| Annual snow | 0" | 0" |
| Crime index | 8.0 | 39.54 |
St. Petersburg sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- St. Petersburg is around 84% bigger than Gainesville. A move to a larger city brings more people, fresh opportunities, and richer cultural experiences, but also comes with higher living costs and a busier lifestyle. Whether that sounds thrilling or daunting really depends on what you’re looking for in your next home.
- In the last presidential election, both Gainesville and St. Petersburg voted Democratic.
- Both St. Petersburg and Gainesville average summer highs close to 90°F. That means your daily rhythm in summer should feel familiar after the move.
- In the coldest months, Gainesville gets chillier than St. Petersburg, with lows dipping to 41°F while St. Petersburg only drops to 53°F.
- Both Gainesville and St. Petersburg see about the same yearly rainfall—Gainesville averages 50 inches, while St. Petersburg gets 51 inches each year.
- Both Gainesville and St. Petersburg receive virtually no snowfall each year, so you won’t have to plan for winter weather in either city.
- St. Petersburg has a higher crime rate than Gainesville, with a crime index of 39.54 vs 8.0.
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 Gainesville to St. Petersburg?
If you’re hiring a professional moving company to get your stuff from Gainesville to St. Petersburg, expect to pay between $655 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 $3,926. Moving a home with four or more bedrooms? You’re looking at anywhere from $1,871 up to $5,109 for the trip.
How much are moving container companies from Gainesville to St. Petersburg?
If you’re moving from Gainesville 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 $625 and go up to $1,387. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, costs typically fall between $1,155 and $2,145. For larger moves—think four or five bedrooms—expect to spend somewhere between $1,489 and $2,466.
How much is a moving truck from Gainesville 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 $205 to $343. A larger move will cost $216 to $397, and a four-bedroom or larger move from Gainesville to St. Petersburg costs from $250 to $469.
How far in advance should I book Gainesville-to-St. Petersburg movers?
For the smoothest experience, try to book your move from Gainesville 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 Gainesville-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.
