($1,992) Movers From Tacoma, WA to St. Petersburg, FL

What to know before moving from Tacoma to St. Petersburg

Moving from Tacoma 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 Tacoma than in St. Petersburg, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

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

• Rent prices in St. Petersburg are 26% higher than in Tacoma, 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 St. Petersburg.
  Home prices in St. Petersburg are 24.5% lower than in Tacoma.
• Income in St. Petersburg is 12.2% lower than in Tacoma, 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 36.1% lower than in Tacoma. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in St. Petersburg is 14.9% lower than in Tacoma.
• The unemployment rate in St. Petersburg is 36.99% lower than in Tacoma.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in St. Petersburg, since the city’s sales taxes in St. Petersburg are 32.04% lower than in Tacoma.
• State income taxes are the same in St. Petersburg and Tacoma.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,917.74 in St. Petersburg to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Tacoma.

How life is different in Tacoma vs. St. Petersburg

• The population of St. Petersburg is about 16% greater than Tacoma, 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.
• Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in St. Petersburg will be about the same as it currently is in Tacoma. The cities share a similar public transportation score, which means their transit systems are comparable in terms of how connected they are, how often they provide service, and how close they are to jobs, housing, retail and food stores, and other important locations.
• St. Petersburg neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Tacoma. Based on its score of 43 out of 100, St. Petersburg isn’t as walkable as Tacoma, which has a score of 54 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.
• If cycling is your thing, St. Petersburg is considered more bike-friendly than Tacoma 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 Tacoma is rated as 48 out of 100.
• St. Petersburg has a lower crime rate than Tacoma based on scores of 39.54 and Tacoma's 55.55, 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 Tacoma, based on St. Petersburg’s safety index of 60.46 versus 44.45 for Tacoma. 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 Tacoma 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 Tacoma 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