($1,299) Movers From Arlington, VA to St. Petersburg, FL

What to know before moving from Arlington to St. Petersburg

Moving from Arlington to St. Petersburg means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Arlington than in St. Petersburg, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how Arlington compares to St. Petersburg so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in St. Petersburg are 24% lower than in Arlington, which means you’ll have more money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in St. Petersburg.
  Home prices in St. Petersburg are 55.5% lower than in Arlington.
• Income in St. Petersburg is 49.8% lower than in Arlington, 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 61.5% lower than in Arlington. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in St. Petersburg is 48.4% lower than in Arlington.
• The unemployment rate in St. Petersburg is 15.00% higher than in Arlington.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in St. Petersburg, since the city’s sales taxes in St. Petersburg are 16.67% higher than in Arlington.
• One perk of moving to St. Petersburg is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Arlington.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,154.22 in St. Petersburg to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Arlington.

How life is different in Arlington vs. St. Petersburg

• The population of St. Petersburg is about 9% greater than Arlington, 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.
• Getting around St. Petersburg without a car might be more difficult than in Arlington. St. Petersburg has a public transportation score of 6 out of 10, whereas Arlington is ranked 9. 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 Arlington. Based on its score of 43 out of 100, St. Petersburg isn’t as walkable as Arlington, which has a score of 71 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 Arlington. While Arlington has a bike-friendliness score of 72 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 Arlington, 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 15.67 in Arlington. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You may want to exercise more caution as you’re getting used to your new surroundings in St. Petersburg. With a crime index of 60.46, St. Petersburg ranks lower in overall safety than Arlington, whose index is Arlington's 79.15. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
• The air quality in St. Petersburg and Arlington 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 Arlington vs. St. Petersburg move

• Weather: St. Petersburg has hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters.
• HOA rules: It’s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it’s 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 – Division of Consumer Services. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in Florida, visit the state's public utilities commission
• Moving permits: While Florida doesn’t 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.

Helpful moving resources