($1,445) Movers From Milwaukee, WI to St. Petersburg, FL

What to know before moving from Milwaukee to St. Petersburg

Moving from Milwaukee to St. Petersburg comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since St. Petersburg is generally more expensive than Milwaukee, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in St. Petersburg are 66% higher than in Milwaukee, 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 Milwaukee.
  Home prices in St. Petersburg are 79.7% higher than in Milwaukee.
• Income in St. Petersburg is 29.4% higher than in Milwaukee, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in St. Petersburg include Jabil, FADV Holdings, and Raymond James.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in St. Petersburg, since the cost of living for a single person in St. Petersburg is 30.7% higher than in Milwaukee. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re 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 24.5% higher than in Milwaukee.
• The unemployment rate in St. Petersburg is 37.84% lower than in Milwaukee.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in St. Petersburg, since the city’s sales taxes in St. Petersburg are 42.86% higher than in Milwaukee.
• One perk of moving to St. Petersburg is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Milwaukee.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,919.88 in St. Petersburg to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Milwaukee.

How life is different in Milwaukee vs. St. Petersburg

• St. Petersburg might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 55% less than Milwaukee.
• Getting around St. Petersburg without a car might be more difficult than in Milwaukee. St. Petersburg has a public transportation score of 6 out of 10, whereas Milwaukee is ranked 8. 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 Milwaukee. Based on its score of 43 out of 100, St. Petersburg isn’t as walkable as Milwaukee, which has a score of 62 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.
• St. Petersburg and Milwaukee are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 59 and 58 respectively. Bike-friendliness scores between 50 and 100 indicate varying levels of infrastructure to support cyclists, including bike lanes and roadway connectivity. Cities with scores under 50 are considered more car-dependent.
• St. Petersburg has a lower crime rate than Milwaukee based on scores of 39.54 and Milwaukee's 66.76, 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 Milwaukee, based on St. Petersburg’s safety index of 60.46 versus 33.24 for Milwaukee. 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 Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee 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