Moving from St. Petersburg to Miami, FL
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Quick answer: Moving from St. Petersburg to Miami costs between $356 to $6,434 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 268-mile route within Florida take 1 to 4 days from packing to delivery.
Compare moving options from St. Petersburg to Miami
The 4 most common types of movers when moving from St. Petersburg to Miami 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 Miami, 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 268 miles and require your full effort or hiring labor
| Move type | Top pick | Average cost | Best for | Main downside |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service mover | Safeway Moving | $1,670 - $4,651 | Movers handle loading, driving, and unloading | Highest price of all options |
| Moving container | PODS | $1,239 - $2,393 | Pack and load on your own schedule | You handle all loading and unloading |
| Rental truck | Budget Truck Rental | $371 - $709 | 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 Miami?
It costs between $356 to $6,434 to move from St. Petersburg to Miami. The prices below break down your 268-mile move costs by type of moving service and home size.
- Full service movers: $1,034 - $6,434
- Moving containers: $1,020 - $3,086
- Rental trucks: $356 - $870
| Home size | Full-service mover | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,034 - $3,757 | $1,020 - $1,725 | $356 - $637 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,670 - $4,651 | $1,239 - $2,393 | $371 - $709 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,145 - $6,434 | $1,617 - $3,086 | $440 - $870 |
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 Miami
At 268 miles, your St. Petersburg to Miami 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 Miami. With 14 years in the moving industry and service throughout Florida, they're a strong fit for intrastate moves of 268 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 Miami. 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 Miami to St. Petersburg guide.
Considerations when moving from St. Petersburg to Miami
Cost of living: St. Petersburg vs. Miami
When comparing the cost of living between St. Petersburg and Miami, 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 Miami stacks up against St. Petersburg.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| St. Petersburg | Miami | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $2,075 | $2,990 |
| Average home cost | $327,967 | $473,979 |
| Average income (per capita) | $73,118 | $59,390 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $2,642 | $3,103 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $6,178 | $7,450 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.6% | 8.3% |
| Average Sales Tax | 7.0% | 7.0% |
- Rent prices in Miami are 44% higher than in St. Petersburg. So, you’ll likely need to set aside more for housing, which could shrink your budget for savings or other expenses.
- Home prices in Miami are 45% higher than in St. Petersburg, which could make buying a home more challenging. It might require a larger upfront investment and could increase your monthly mortgage payments.
- Income in Miami is 19% lower than in St. Petersburg. You might want to watch your budget, especially if local salaries don’t keep up with living expenses.
- Living expenses for one person in Miami are 17% higher than in St. Petersburg, so you'll probably need to tweak your budget to cover the extra expenses.
- Living costs here run about 21% higher than in St. Petersburg. Essentials like housing, childcare, and healthcare all come with a steeper price tag, making Miami one of the more expensive cities for families.
- Unemployment in Miami is 80% higher than in St. Petersburg. Finding a good, stable job might be more challenging if you’re moving without having lined up a job.
- Since sales taxes are the same in Miami 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 $3,510 in Miami 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. Miami
Before you make a move, it’s important to see how life stacks up in Miami 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 | Miami | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 259,343 | 442,241 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 49.8-48.3 | Republican 48-49 |
| Summer high | 90ºF | 89ºF |
| Winter low | 53ºF | 61ºF |
| Annual rain | 51" | 59" |
| Annual snow | 0" | 0" |
| Crime index | 39.54 | 52.54 |
Miami sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- Miami is around 71% bigger than St. Petersburg. 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, Miami leaned Republican, while St. Petersburg went Democratic.
- Both Miami and St. Petersburg average summer highs close to 89°F. That means your daily rhythm in summer should feel familiar after the move.
- In the coldest months, St. Petersburg gets chillier than Miami, with lows dipping to 53°F while Miami only drops to 61°F.
- Miami typically gets more rain than St. Petersburg, with an average annual rainfall of 59 inches compared to St. Petersburg’s 51 inches.
- Both St. Petersburg and Miami receive virtually no snowfall each year, so you won’t have to plan for winter weather in either city.
- Miami has a higher crime rate than St. Petersburg, with a crime index of 52.54 vs 39.54.
Things to do in Miami
Craving adventure, unique culture, or live sports? Miami has you covered.
Museums in Miami
- Wynwood Walls
- Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
- Miami Design District
- Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science
- Miami Children's Museum
Parks in Miami
- Bayfront Park
- Tropical Park
- Matheson Hammock Park
- Domino Park
- Margaret Pace Park
Sports teams in Miami
- Miami Dolphins (NFL)
- Inter Miami CF (MLS)
- Miami Marlins (MLB)
- Florida Panthers (NHL)
- Miami Heat (NBA)
Universities in Miami
- University of Miami
- Florida International University
- Miami Dade College
FAQ
How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from St. Petersburg to Miami?
If you’re hiring a professional moving company to get your stuff from St. Petersburg to Miami, expect to pay between $922 and $3,204 to move just a few items or a small bedroom. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually run between $1,670 and $4,651. Moving a home with four or more bedrooms? You’re looking at anywhere from $2,145 up to $6,434 for the trip.
How much are moving container companies from St. Petersburg to Miami?
If you’re moving from St. Petersburg to Miami and thinking about using moving containers, here’s what you can expect to pay: For a studio or one-bedroom, prices usually start around $704 and go up to $1,730. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, costs typically fall between $1,239 and $2,393. For larger moves—think four or five bedrooms—expect to spend somewhere between $1,617 and $3,086.
How much is a moving truck from St. Petersburg to Miami?
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 $349 to $655. A larger move will cost $371 to $709, and a four-bedroom or larger move from St. Petersburg to Miami costs from $440 to $870.
How far in advance should I book St. Petersburg-to-Miami movers?
For the smoothest experience, try to book your move from St. Petersburg to Miami 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-Miami 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 Miami?
To save money on your move to Miami, 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.
