Best overall value
Key factors that impact the cost of your Des Moines to St. Petersburg move
What to know before moving from Des Moines to St. Petersburg
Moving from Des Moines to St. Petersburg comes with exciting new opportunities โ but also higher living costs. Since St. Petersburg is generally more expensive than Des Moines, 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:
| Des Moines | St. Petersburg | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,150 | $2,075 |
| Average home value | $192,347 | $360,584 |
| Average income (per capita) | $58,492 | $64,374 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $1,891 | $2,642 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $4,380 | $6,178 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 4.6% |
| Sales tax | 7.0% | 7.0% |
| State income tax | 4.4% | 0.0% |
- Rent prices in St. Petersburg are 80% higher than in Des Moines, 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 Des Moines.
Home prices in St. Petersburg are 87.5% higher than in Des Moines. - Income in St. Petersburg is 10.1% higher than in Des Moines, 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 39.7% higher than in Des Moines. 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 41.1% higher than in Des Moines.
- The unemployment rate in St. Petersburg is 22.03% lower than in Des Moines.
- Sales taxes are the same in St. Petersburg and Des Moines.
- One perk of moving to St. Petersburg is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Des Moines.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,191.43 in St. Petersburg to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Des Moines.
How life is different in Des Moines vs. St. Petersburg
| St. Petersburg | Des Moines | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 259,343 | 699,292 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 6 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 43 | 45 |
| Bike friendliness score | 59 | 39 |
| Crime Index | 39.54 | 5.0 |
| Safety Index | 60.46 | 57.8 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- St. Petersburg might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 63% less than Des Moines.
- St. Petersburg offers better access to buses and trains than Des Moines, based on public transportation ratings. St. Petersburg has a transit score of 6 out of 10 compared to 5 in Des Moines. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
- Youโll find St. Petersburg to be about as walkable as Des Moines. The two cities have similar walkability scores of 43 and 45 respectively out of 100 in terms of how close housing is to businesses, recreational facilities, and jobs.
- If cycling is your thing, St. Petersburg is considered more bike-friendly than Des Moines 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 Des Moines is rated as 39 out of 100.
- The crime rate in St. Petersburg is higher than in Des Moines, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 39.54 in St. Petersburg, it is 5.0 in Des Moines. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a cityโs crime levels.
- St. Petersburg is generally as safe as Des Moines, according to their similar safety index ratings. The ratings are based on how comfortable residents feel about walking alone during the daytime and nighttime and the number of small crimes like theft and muggings.
- The air quality in St. Petersburg and Des Moines 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 Des Moines 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
After settling into your new Florida home, youโll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, St. Petersburg has lots to offer, no matter what youโre interested in:
- Arts and culture: St. Petersburg is home to museums and cultural arts centers like 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 sites โ are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to St. Petersburg?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Des Moines to St. Petersburg are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Des Moines are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Des Moines to St. Petersburg?
With many people choosing to move from Des Moines 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 Des Moines to St. Petersburg take?
Moving from Des Moines, IA to St. Petersburg, FL covers 1,378 miles and usually takes three to eight days. Need to move faster? Some Des Moines movers offer expedited options. If youโre not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in St. Petersburg.
