($1,448) Movers From Jackson, MS to St. Petersburg, FL

What to know before moving from Jackson to St. Petersburg

Moving from Jackson to St. Petersburg comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since St. Petersburg is generally more expensive than Jackson, 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 St. Petersburg are 77% higher than in Jackson, 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 Jackson.
  Home prices in St. Petersburg are 423.6% higher than in Jackson.
• Income in St. Petersburg is 11.3% higher than in Jackson, 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 34.2% higher than in Jackson. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’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 23.8% higher than in Jackson.
• The unemployment rate in St. Petersburg is 40.26% lower than in Jackson.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in St. Petersburg, since the city’s sales taxes in St. Petersburg are 12.50% lower than in Jackson.
• One perk of moving to St. Petersburg is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Jackson.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,025.39 in St. Petersburg to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Jackson.

How life is different in Jackson vs. St. Petersburg

• The population of St. Petersburg is about 69% greater than Jackson, 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.
• St. Petersburg offers better access to buses and trains than Jackson, based on public transportation ratings. St. Petersburg has a transit score of 6 out of 10 compared to 2 in Jackson. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in St. Petersburg means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Jackson. St. Petersburg is considered more walkable than Jackson, with a score of 43 out of 100 versus 26 out of 100 in Jackson. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, St. Petersburg is considered more bike-friendly than Jackson 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 Jackson is rated as 33 out of 100.
• St. Petersburg has a lower crime rate than Jackson based on scores of 39.54 and Jackson's 82.38, 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 Jackson, based on St. Petersburg’s safety index of 60.46 versus 17.62 for Jackson. 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 Jackson 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 Jackson 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