Best overall value
Local moving companies in St. Petersburg
- First Class Moving Systems, Inc.: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Sunshine Movers of Sarasota, LLC: 4.86 out of 5 stars
- Big Man's Moving Company, LLC: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- 2 College Brothers Moving and Storage: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Let's Get Moving, Inc.: 4.72 out of 5 stars
Customer Praise
- Professional and polite staff
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Quick moving process
- Good communication
Customer Complaints
- Damage to items
- Lack of communication
- Unexpected charges
Review Analysis
First Class Moving Systems, Inc. consistently stands out for professionalism, fast-moving crews, careful packing, and courteous behavior, as highlighted by 65.5% of 174 customer reviews. Customers often describe staff as efficient, attentive, and protective of their belongings, and many praise timely updates and clear communication. Most report a quick, stress-free process and careful handling of fragile items, with prompt bookings and follow-through reminiscent of top-tier moving companies. Yet, 32.8% of feedback highlights repeated issues: property damage during moves, poor communication about delays or missing items, and unexpected charges. Negative input frequently points to a lack of follow-up on claims and insufficient support when things go wrong, especially with larger or longer-distance moves. Compared to industry peers, First Class earns high marks for service quality when things go well but falters on reliability and transparency under stress. For customers prioritizing safe, efficient, and polite movers, First Class delivers; for those needing flawless logistics and consistent support, caution is warranted.
Company Info
State license #: 651
Years in Business: 24
DOT #: 944759
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- DOD certified
Customer Praise
- Professional and polite staff
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Good communication
- Quick moving process
Customer Complaints
- Damage to items
- Inaccurate estimates
- Unexpected charges
Review Analysis
Big Man’s Moving Company stands out for its hands-on, efficient crews and friendly, attentive service. After evaluating 336 pieces of customer feedback, 83% praised the professionalism, communication, care in handling, swift service, and overall reliability. Most respondents noted moves were completed quickly yet with caution, often at reasonable or transparent prices. Positive feedback highlights the staff’s politeness, strong communication before and during moves, and genuine effort to keep belongings safe. On the flip side, about 15% of reviews mentioned unresolved damage to items, dissatisfaction with price estimates versus final costs, and unexpected charges. Customers shared concerns about damage claims being denied or ignored and misleading estimates that resulted in significantly higher bills. A handful of respondents flagged late arrivals or difficult communication after problems arose. Compared to typical moving companies, Big Man’s draws more consistent praise for care and professionalism, but those booking should clarify all terms in advance to avoid confusion or additional expenses. For clear communication, efficiency, and respectful staff, this company often excels, though damage resolution and pricing transparency are areas for improvement.
Company Info
State license #: 2951960
Years in Business: 8
DOT #: 2951960
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Customer Praise
- Efficient service
- Professional and polite staff
- Careful handling
- Quick moving process
- Good communication
Customer Complaints
- Damage to items
- Unreliable timing
- Poor complaint handling
Review Analysis
Moving made easy: 2 College Brothers Moving and Storage stands out with a stellar 92.5% positive feedback from 268 customer reviews. Customers consistently highlight efficient service, professionalism, careful handling of belongings, quick and stress-free moves, and clear communication—qualities that place 2 College Brothers above many other movers. Movers arrive punctually, work with speed, and keep clients informed throughout, earning praise for both small local relocations and complex long-distance jobs. Negative feedback, though rare, points most often to damage to items, unreliable scheduling, or challenges in complaint resolution. While some experienced mishandling or delayed responses on claims, these issues are much less frequent than the positive results. With most feedback reflecting stress-free, respectful, and meticulous moves at fair rates, 2 College Brothers consistently outperforms typical moving companies and comes widely recommended.
Company Info
State license #: 2106
Years in Business: 12
DOT #: 2787568
Alternate Names: Smarter Moving Solutions LLC, 2 College Brothers, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Customer Praise
- Professional and polite staff
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Quick moving process
- Good communication
Customer Complaints
- Damage to items
- Higher-than-expected costs
- Unexpected charges
Review Analysis
Let’s Get Moving, Inc. lives up to its reputation with 233 out of 243 feedback entries showing high satisfaction, totaling nearly 96% positivity. Customers rave about the movers’ professionalism, speed, and attention to detail. Many emphasize how careful the staff are with belongings and highlight smooth, well-communicated moves—qualities that stand out compared to most moving companies. Punctuality and efficient processes are repeatedly praised, with clients often noting damage-free deliveries and honest, approachable staff. A small minority express disappointment, mainly reporting damaged items or higher-than-expected costs, as well as unexpected charges. These issues are notable but relatively rare given the volume of positive experiences. Let’s Get Moving consistently delivers high-quality service, setting a strong standard in the moving industry.
Company Info
State license #: 2270761
Years in Business: 20
DOT #: 2270761
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Factors influencing moving costs from St. Petersburg to Durham
What to know before moving from St. Petersburg to Durham
Moving from St. Petersburg to Durham comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Durham is generally more expensive than St. Petersburg, it's 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:
| St. Petersburg | Durham | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $2,075 | $1,699 |
| Average home value | $360,584 | $391,719 |
| Average income (per capita) | $64,374 | $396,291 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $2,642 | $2,803 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $6,178 | $5,945 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.6% | 4.1% |
| Sales tax | 7.0% | 7.5% |
| State income tax | 0.0% | 4.5% |
- Rent prices in Durham are 18% lower than in St. Petersburg, which means you'll have more money in your pocket each month.
- The home prices in Durham are 8.6% higher than in St. Petersburg, which could mean saving up before buying a home, taking on a bigger mortgage, or downsizing.
- You’re likely to make a higher income living in Durham, where incomes are, on average, 515.6% higher than in St. Petersburg. Major employers in Durham include Duke University & Duke Univ. Health System, IBM, and Durham Public Schools.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Durham, since the cost of living for a single person in Durham is 6.1% higher than in St. Petersburg. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- A move to Durham can help cut down on a family’s routine expenses, including utilities, transportation, and groceries. The cost of living for a family of four is 3.8% less than what it costs in St. Petersburg.
- The unemployment rate in Durham is 10.87% lower than in St. Petersburg.
- Shopping and dining out will likely be a little pricier in Durham, since its sales taxes are 7.14% higher than what you are paying in St. Petersburg.
- State income taxes in Durham are 4.50% higher than in St. Petersburg.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,182.82 in Durham to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in St. Petersburg.
How life is different in St. Petersburg vs. Durham
| Durham | St. Petersburg | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 283,506 | 259,343 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 4 | 6 |
| Walkability score | 30 | 43 |
| Bike friendliness score | 38 | 59 |
| Crime Index | 54.72 | 39.54 |
| Safety Index | 45.28 | 60.46 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- The population of Durham is about 9% greater than St. Petersburg, 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.
- Getting around Durham without a car might be more difficult than in St. Petersburg. Durham has a public transportation score of 4 out of 10, whereas St. Petersburg is ranked 6. Ratings are based on a city's transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
- Durham neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as St. Petersburg. Based on its score of 30 out of 100, Durham isn't as walkable as St. Petersburg, which has a score of 43 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
- You probably won't see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Durham, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than St. Petersburg. While St. Petersburg has a bike-friendliness score of 59 out of 100, Durham earned a 38. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
- The crime rate in Durham is higher than in St. Petersburg, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 54.72 in Durham, it is 39.54 in St. Petersburg. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city's crime levels.
- You may want to exercise more caution as you're getting used to your new surroundings in Durham. With a crime index of 45.28, Durham ranks lower in overall safety than St. Petersburg, whose index is 60.46. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
- The air quality in Durham and St. Petersburg is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.
Other things to consider for your St. Petersburg vs. Durham move
- Weather: The climate in Durham is unlikely to affect your move. However, some days in the winter, the roads may become icy which causes traffic issues.
- HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
- Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
- State licensing: For-profit household goods carriers in the state fall under the jurisdiction of the North Carolina Utilities Commission, Transportation Division. All legitimate movers should have a “C Number” issued by the commission, signifying that they’ve met minimum insurance requirements and adhere to the provisions outlined in the state’s Maximum Rate Tariff (MRT). Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can check the status of a North Carolina moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: North Carolina doesn't require moving permits, but it's still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
- Change of address: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You'll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to Durham. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry. Choose Released Value Protection for no-cost, minimal coverage from movers, with responsibility limited to 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, explore alternatives with your chosen moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
- Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in Durham
Ready to relocate to City of The Viper? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Durham.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Golden Belt
- Warehouse District
- Research Triangle Park
- Central Park
- Northgate Park
Best neighborhoods for families
- Treyburn
- American Village/Arrowhead
- Willowhaven
- Fieldstone by the Eno
- Hope Valley Farms
Things to do in Durham
After settling into your new North Carolina home, you'll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Durham has lots to offer, no matter what you're interested in:
- Arts and culture: Durham is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Museum of Life + Science, Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, Museum of Durham History, V & E Simonetti Historic Tuba Collection, and Golden Belt.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's West Point on the Eno, RollingView Falls Lake State Park, Durham Central Park, and Historic Durham Athletic Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.'
- Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Duke University (ACC) and Durham Bulls (Triple-A East baseball) game.
source: AttractionsofAmerica
FAQ
When is the best time to move from St. Petersburg to Durham?
Spring and fall are the ideal times to move from St. Petersburg to Durham You'll benefit from more comfortable weather and avoid the higher prices that come with peak moving season in St. Petersburg.
When is the cheapest time to move from St. Petersburg to Durham?
Because spring and fall moves from St. Petersburg to Durham 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 St. Petersburg to Durham take?
The 697-mile journey from St. Petersburg, FL to Durham, NC, typically takes one to six days. Some movers in St. Petersburg offer expedited services if you're on a tight schedule, and if you need extra time, be sure to ask about storage options in Durham.
