Best overall value
Key factors that impact the cost of your Charleston to St. Petersburg move
What to know before moving from Charleston to St. Petersburg
Moving from Charleston 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 Charleston than in St. Petersburg, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how Charleston compares to St. Petersburg so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Charleston | St. Petersburg | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $2,500 | $2,075 |
| Average home value | $559,231 | $360,584 |
| Average income (per capita) | $62,294 | $64,374 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $5,300 | $2,642 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $7,890 | $6,178 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0% | 4.6% |
| Sales tax | 9.0% | 7.0% |
| State income tax | 7.0% | 0.0% |
- Rent prices in St. Petersburg are 17% lower than in Charleston, which means youโll have more money in your pocket each month.
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In terms of homeownership, youโll be able to get more for your money in St. Petersburg.
Home prices in St. Petersburg are 35.5% lower than in Charleston. - Income in St. Petersburg is 3.3% higher than in Charleston, 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 50.2% lower than in Charleston. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- The cost of living for a family in St. Petersburg is 21.7% lower than in Charleston.
- The unemployment rate in St. Petersburg is 15.00% higher than in Charleston.
- Youโll spend less on retail and restaurants in St. Petersburg, since the cityโs sales taxes in St. Petersburg are 22.22% lower than in Charleston.
- One perk of moving to St. Petersburg is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Charleston.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,495.47 in St. Petersburg to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Charleston.
How life is different in Charleston vs. St. Petersburg
| St. Petersburg | Charleston | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 259,343 | 150,277 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 6 | 3 |
| Walkability score | 43 | 40 |
| Bike friendliness score | 59 | 50 |
| Crime Index | 39.54 | 44.97 |
| Safety Index | 60.46 | 55.03 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- The population of St. Petersburg is about 73% greater than Charleston, 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 Charleston, based on public transportation ratings. St. Petersburg has a transit score of 6 out of 10 compared to 3 in Charleston. 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 Charleston. The two cities have similar walkability scores of 43 and 40 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 Charleston 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 Charleston is rated as 50 out of 100.
- St. Petersburg has a lower crime rate than Charleston based on scores of 39.54 and Charleston's 44.97, 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 Charleston, based on St. Petersburgโs safety index of 60.46 versus 55.03 for Charleston. 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 Charleston 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 Charleston vs. St. Petersburg move
- Weather: St. Petersburg has hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters.
- HOA rules: Itโs a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, itโs a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
- Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
- 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. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: To confirm a moving companyโs license in Florida, visit the state's public utilities commission
- Moving permits: While Florida doesnโt mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to St. Petersburg without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. 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: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.
Where to live in St. Petersburg
With your sights set on "Always in Season", these are some of the most popular 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
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 Charleston to St. Petersburg?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Charleston to St. Petersburg are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Charleston are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Charleston to St. Petersburg?
With many people choosing to move from Charleston 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 Charleston to St. Petersburg take?
Moving from Charleston, SC to St. Petersburg, FL covers 458 miles and usually takes one to four days. Need to move faster? Some Charleston movers offer expedited options. If youโre not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in St. Petersburg.
