($1,403) Movers From St. Louis, MO to Tampa, FL

What to know before moving from St. Louis to Tampa

Moving from St. Louis to Tampa comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Tampa is generally more expensive than St. Louis, 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:

• Rent prices in Tampa are 54% higher than in St. Louis, 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 St. Louis.
  Home prices in Tampa are 116.5% higher than in St. Louis.
• Income in Tampa is 1.1% higher than in St. Louis, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Tampa include Bloomin' Brands, Sykes Enterprises, and OSI Restaurant Partners.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Tampa, since the cost of living for a single person in Tampa is 24.8% higher than in St. Louis. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Tampa, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Tampa is 23.4% higher than in St. Louis.
• The unemployment rate in Tampa is 20.63% lower than in St. Louis.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Tampa, since the city’s sales taxes in Tampa are 32.85% lower than in St. Louis.
• One perk of moving to Tampa is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in St. Louis.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,745.08 in Tampa to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in St. Louis.

How life is different in St. Louis vs. Tampa

• The population of Tampa is about 38% greater than St. Louis, 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 Tampa will be about the same as it currently is in St. Louis. 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.
• Tampa neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as St. Louis. Based on its score of 51 out of 100, Tampa isn’t as walkable as St. Louis, which has a score of 66 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 Tampa, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than St. Louis. While St. Louis has a bike-friendliness score of 58 out of 100, Tampa earned a 51. 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.
• Tampa has a lower crime rate than St. Louis based on scores of 46.15 and St. Louis's 69.65, 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 Tampa than in St. Louis, based on Tampa’s safety index of 53.85 versus 30.35 for St. Louis. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• You can breathe easy knowing that Tampa has better air quality than in St. Louis. Tampa has Good air quality, compared to moderate in St. Louis. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.

Other things to consider for your St. Louis vs. Tampa move

• Weather: Tampa's climate generally features hot and humid summers with frequent thunderstorms and dry and mild winters. Tampa seldom feels major effects from tropical storms or hurricanes.
• 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 Tampa. 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 Tampa

Ready to relocate to "Big Guava"? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Tampa.

Helpful moving resources