Best overall value
Key factors that impact the cost of your Columbus to St. Petersburg move
What to know before moving from Columbus to St. Petersburg
Moving from Columbus 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 Columbus than in St. Petersburg, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how Columbus compares to St. Petersburg so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Columbus | St. Petersburg | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,441 | $2,075 |
| Average home value | $238,832 | $360,584 |
| Average income (per capita) | $65,075 | $64,374 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $2,784 | $2,642 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $7,249 | $6,178 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.7% | 4.6% |
| Sales tax | 7.5% | 7.0% |
| State income tax | 3.5% | 0.0% |
- Rent prices in St. Petersburg are 44% higher than in Columbus, which means youโll have less money in your pocket each month.
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In terms of homeownership, youโll be able to get more for your money in Columbus.
Home prices in St. Petersburg are 51.0% higher than in Columbus. - Income in St. Petersburg is 1.1% lower than in Columbus, so you could earn less 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 5.1% lower than in Columbus. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- The cost of living for a family in St. Petersburg is 14.8% lower than in Columbus.
- The unemployment rate in St. Petersburg is 19.30% lower than in Columbus.
- Youโll spend less on retail and restaurants in St. Petersburg, since the cityโs sales taxes in St. Petersburg are 6.67% lower than in Columbus.
- One perk of moving to St. Petersburg is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Columbus.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,846.98 in St. Petersburg to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Columbus.
How life is different in Columbus vs. St. Petersburg
| St. Petersburg | Columbus | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 259,343 | 905,748 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 6 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 43 | 41 |
| Bike friendliness score | 59 | 48 |
| Crime Index | 39.54 | 49.65 |
| Safety Index | 60.46 | 50.35 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- St. Petersburg might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 71% less than Columbus.
- St. Petersburg offers better access to buses and trains than Columbus, based on public transportation ratings. St. Petersburg has a transit score of 6 out of 10 compared to 5 in Columbus. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
- Youโll find St. Petersburg to be about as walkable as Columbus. The two cities have similar walkability scores of 43 and 41 respectively out of 100 in terms of how close housing is to businesses, recreational facilities, and jobs.
- If cycling is your thing, St. Petersburg is considered more bike-friendly than Columbus 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 Columbus is rated as 48 out of 100.
- St. Petersburg has a lower crime rate than Columbus based on scores of 39.54 and Columbus's 49.65, 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 St. Petersburg than in Columbus, based on St. Petersburgโs safety index of 60.46 versus 50.35 for Columbus. 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 Columbus 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 Columbus 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 regulationsโsome 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 โ Division of Consumer Services. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: You can verify a Florida moving company\โs license by visiting the state'spublic utilities commission
- Moving permits: You wonโt need a moving permit in Florida, though it\โs 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 youโve chosen "Always in Season" as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in St. Petersburg to check out.
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
After settling into your new Florida home, youโll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, St. Petersburg has lots to offer, no matter what youโre interested in:
- Arts and culture: St. Petersburg is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the The Dali Museum, Chihuly Collection, Duncan McClellan Gallery, Imagine Museum, and James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art.
- Outdoor recreation: The cityโs Sawgrass Lake Park, Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, Vinoy Park, and Skyway Fishing Pier State Park โ among other sites โ are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Columbus to St. Petersburg?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Columbus to St. Petersburg are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Columbus are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Columbus to St. Petersburg?
With many people choosing to move from Columbus 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 Columbus to St. Petersburg take?
Moving from Columbus, OH to St. Petersburg, FL covers 1,045 miles and usually takes two to eight days. Need to move faster? Some Columbus movers offer expedited options. If youโre not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in St. Petersburg.
