Key factors that impact the cost of your Virginia Beach to St. Petersburg move
What to know before moving from Virginia Beach to St. Petersburg
Moving from Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach than in St. Petersburg, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how Virginia Beach compares to St. Petersburg so you know what to expect before you relocate:
Virginia Beach | St. Petersburg | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,950 | $2,075 |
Average home value | $402,391 | $360,584 |
Average income (per capita) | $81,810 | $64,374 |
Cost of living (single person) | $4,533 | $2,642 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $5,910 | $6,178 |
Unemployment rate | 4.8% | 4.6% |
Sales tax | 6.0% | 7.0% |
State income tax | 5.75% | 0.0% |
- Rent prices in St. Petersburg are 6% higher than in Virginia Beach, 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 St. Petersburg.
Home prices in St. Petersburg are 10.4% lower than in Virginia Beach. - Income in St. Petersburg is 21.3% lower than in Virginia Beach, 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 41.7% lower than in Virginia Beach. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If youโre 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 4.5% higher than in Virginia Beach.
- The unemployment rate in St. Petersburg is 4.17% lower than in Virginia Beach.
- Youโll spend more on retail and restaurants in St. Petersburg, since the cityโs sales taxes in St. Petersburg are 16.67% higher than in Virginia Beach.
- One perk of moving to St. Petersburg is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Virginia Beach.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,748.51 in St. Petersburg to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Virginia Beach.
How life is different in Virginia Beach vs. St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg | Virginia Beach | |
---|---|---|
Population | 259,343 | 457,672 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 6 | 3 |
Walkability score | 43 | 33 |
Bike friendliness score | 59 | 42 |
Crime Index | 39.54 | 42.0 |
Safety Index | 60.46 | 58.0 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- St. Petersburg might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 43% less than Virginia Beach.
- St. Petersburg offers better access to buses and trains than Virginia Beach, based on public transportation ratings. St. Petersburg has a transit score of 6 out of 10 compared to 3 in Virginia Beach. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
- Living in St. Petersburg means youโll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Virginia Beach. St. Petersburg is considered more walkable than Virginia Beach, with a score of 43 out of 100 versus 33 out of 100 in Virginia Beach. A cityโs 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 Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach is rated as 42 out of 100.
- You can anticipate the same crime rate in St. Petersburg as Virginia Beach. With the crime index, lower scores are better because they indicate less crime. Cities with scores of 20 or below, for example, have much fewer instances of crime than those with scores of 80โ100.
- St. Petersburg is generally as safe as Virginia Beach, according to their similar safety index ratings. The ratings are based on how comfortable residents feel about walking alone during the daytime and nighttime and the number of small crimes like theft and muggings.
- The air quality in St. Petersburg and Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach 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 getting comfortable in your new Florida home, itโs time to see what St. Petersburg is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife โ thereโs plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: Cultural attractions in St. Petersburg include museums and art 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 and more, offering great opportunities to hike, bike, or relax in nature.
- Sports: Nothing beats the thrill of cheering on the home team at an game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Virginia Beach to St. Petersburg?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Virginia Beach to St. Petersburg are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Virginia Beach are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Virginia Beach to St. Petersburg?
With many people choosing to move from Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach to St. Petersburg take?
Moving from Virginia Beach, VA to St. Petersburg, FL covers 848 miles and usually takes two to seven days. Need to move faster? Some Virginia Beach movers offer expedited options. If youโre not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in St. Petersburg.