($1,575) Movers From Grand Rapids, MI to St. Petersburg, FL

What to know before moving from Grand Rapids to St. Petersburg

Moving from Grand Rapids to St. Petersburg means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Grand Rapids than in St. Petersburg, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how Grand Rapids compares to St. Petersburg so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in St. Petersburg are 25% higher than in Grand Rapids, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Grand Rapids.
  Home prices in St. Petersburg are 9.8% higher than in Grand Rapids.
• Income in St. Petersburg is 1.7% higher than in Grand Rapids, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in St. Petersburg include Jabil, FADV Holdings, and Raymond James.
• The cost of living for a single person in St. Petersburg is 50.5% lower than in Grand Rapids. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in St. Petersburg is 13.7% lower than in Grand Rapids.
• The unemployment rate in St. Petersburg is 6.98% higher than in Grand Rapids.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in St. Petersburg, since the city’s sales taxes in St. Petersburg are 16.67% higher than in Grand Rapids.
• One perk of moving to St. Petersburg is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Grand Rapids.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,486.22 in St. Petersburg to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Grand Rapids.

How life is different in Grand Rapids vs. St. Petersburg

• The population of St. Petersburg is about 30% greater than Grand Rapids, 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.
• Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in St. Petersburg will be about the same as it currently is in Grand Rapids. The cities share a similar public transportation score, which means their transit systems are comparable in terms of how connected they are, how often they provide service, and how close they are to jobs, housing, retail and food stores, and other important locations.
• St. Petersburg neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Grand Rapids. Based on its score of 43 out of 100, St. Petersburg isn’t as walkable as Grand Rapids, which has a score of 56 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.
• If cycling is your thing, St. Petersburg is considered more bike-friendly than Grand Rapids 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 Grand Rapids is rated as 52 out of 100.
• St. Petersburg has a lower crime rate than Grand Rapids based on scores of 39.54 and Grand Rapids's 44.23, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in St. Petersburg than in Grand Rapids, based on St. Petersburg’s safety index of 60.46 versus 55.77 for Grand Rapids. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• The air quality in St. Petersburg and Grand Rapids 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 Grand Rapids vs. St. Petersburg move

• Weather: St. Petersburg has hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters.
• 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: 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 check the status of a Florida moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Florida 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 St. Petersburg. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry.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

Ready to relocate to "Always in Season"? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in St. Petersburg.

Helpful moving resources