($1,325) Movers From Buffalo, NY to St. Petersburg, FL

What to know before moving from Buffalo to St. Petersburg

Moving from Buffalo to St. Petersburg comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since St. Petersburg is generally more expensive than Buffalo, 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 73% higher than in Buffalo, 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 Buffalo.
  Home prices in St. Petersburg are 69.0% higher than in Buffalo.
• Income in St. Petersburg is 1.5% higher than in Buffalo, 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 2.0% higher than in Buffalo. 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 8.0% higher than in Buffalo.
• The unemployment rate in St. Petersburg is 51.58% lower than in Buffalo.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in St. Petersburg, since the city’s sales taxes in St. Petersburg are 20.00% lower than in Buffalo.
• One perk of moving to St. Petersburg is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Buffalo.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,061.41 in St. Petersburg to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Buffalo.

How life is different in Buffalo vs. St. Petersburg

• St. Petersburg might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 7% less than Buffalo.
• Getting around St. Petersburg without a car might be more difficult than in Buffalo. St. Petersburg has a public transportation score of 6 out of 10, whereas Buffalo is ranked 7. Ratings are based on a city’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 Buffalo. Based on its score of 43 out of 100, St. Petersburg isn’t as walkable as Buffalo, which has a score of 67 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 St. Petersburg, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Buffalo. While Buffalo has a bike-friendliness score of 63 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.
• The crime rate in St. Petersburg is higher than in Buffalo, 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 8.0 in Buffalo. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in St. Petersburg than in Buffalo, based on St. Petersburg’s safety index of 60.46 versus 53.55 for Buffalo. 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 St. Petersburg has better air quality than in Buffalo. St. Petersburg has Good air quality, compared to moderate in Buffalo. 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 Buffalo vs. St. Petersburg move

• Weather: St. Petersburg has hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters.
• HOA rules: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you're familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
• Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
• Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulations—some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
• 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. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: You can verify a Florida moving company\’s license by visiting the state'spublic utilities commission
• Moving permits: You won’t need a moving permit in Florida, though it\’s smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
• Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly toSt. Petersburg Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations.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: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

Where to live in St. Petersburg

Now that you’ve chosen "Always in Season" as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in St. Petersburg to check out.

Helpful moving resources