Key factors that impact the cost of your St. Paul to St. Petersburg movetoggle

The cost of St. Paul movers will depend on:

  • Size of your move: The more items you have, the more your move will cost. A smaller move from St. Paul to St. Petersburg (like a one-bedroom) could be as low as $1,488, while larger moves may reach $11,540 for a four-bedroom home.
  • Seasonal demand: Moving in the summer? Expect to pay more โ€” itโ€™s the busiest time of year for movers in St. Paul.
  • DIY vs. hiring pros: You can cut costs by renting a truck (typically $1,116 to $2,961, but it requires more effort than hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from St. Paul to St. Petersburg

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

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

St. Paul St. Petersburg
Average rent cost $1,350 $2,075
Average home value $278,221 $360,584
Average income (per capita) $63,483 $64,374
Cost of living (single person) $3,633 $2,642
Cost of living (family of 4) $4,290 $6,178
Unemployment rate 4.9% 4.6%
Sales tax 9.88% 7.0%
State income tax 9.85% 0.0%
  • Rent prices in St. Petersburg are 54% higher than in St. Paul, which means youโ€™ll have less money in your pocket each month.
  • In terms of homeownership, youโ€™ll be able to get more for your money in St. Paul.
    Home prices in St. Petersburg are 29.6% higher than in St. Paul.
  • Income in St. Petersburg is 1.4% higher than in St. Paul, 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 27.3% lower than in St. Paul. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
  • If youโ€™re 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 44.0% higher than in St. Paul.
  • The unemployment rate in St. Petersburg is 6.12% lower than in St. Paul.
  • Youโ€™ll spend less on retail and restaurants in St. Petersburg, since the cityโ€™s sales taxes in St. Petersburg are 29.15% lower than in St. Paul.
  • One perk of moving to St. Petersburg is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in St. Paul.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,181.67 in St. Petersburg to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in St. Paul.

How life is different in St. Paul vs. St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg St. Paul
Population 259,343 303,176
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 6 8
Walkability score 43 60
Bike friendliness score 59 64
Crime Index 39.54 50.86
Safety Index 60.46 49.14
Air Quality Good Good
  • St. Petersburg might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 14% less than St. Paul.
  • Getting around St. Petersburg without a car might be more difficult than in St. Paul. St. Petersburg has a public transportation score of 6 out of 10, whereas St. Paul is ranked 8. Ratings are based on a cityโ€™s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
  • St. Petersburg neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as St. Paul. Based on its score of 43 out of 100, St. Petersburg isnโ€™t as walkable as St. Paul, which has a score of 60 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 wonโ€™t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in St. Petersburg, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than St. Paul. While St. Paul has a bike-friendliness score of 64 out of 100, St. Petersburg earned a 59. 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.
  • St. Petersburg has a lower crime rate than St. Paul based on scores of 39.54 and St. Paul's 50.86, 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 St. Paul, based on St. Petersburgโ€™s safety index of 60.46 versus 49.14 for St. Paul. 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 St. Paul 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. Paul 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 โ€“ 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\โ€™t require moving permits, but it\โ€™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. Youโ€™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.

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

Now that you've made the move to Florida, itโ€™s the perfect time to explore St. Petersburg. From local hotspots to hidden gems, thereโ€™s something to enjoy for every lifestyle:

  • Arts and culture: Youโ€™ll find museums and cultural hubs throughout St. Petersburg, such as the The Dali Museum, Chihuly Collection, Duncan McClellan Gallery, Imagine Museum, and James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art.
  • Outdoor recreation: The cityโ€™s Sawgrass Lake Park, Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, Vinoy Park, and Skyway Fishing Pier State Park โ€” along with other locations, ideal for trails, cycling, or enjoying the fresh air.
  • Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team at an game.

FAQ

When is the best time to move from St. Paul to St. Petersburg?

The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from St. Paul to St. Petersburg are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in St. Paul are lower.

When is the cheapest time to move from St. Paul to St. Petersburg?

With many people choosing to move from St. Paul 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 St. Paul to St. Petersburg take?

Moving from St. Paul, MN to St. Petersburg, FL covers 1,596 miles and usually takes four to 15 days. Need to move faster? Some St. Paul movers offer expedited options. If youโ€™re not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in St. Petersburg.

Helpful moving resources