Moving from Goodyear, AZ to St. Petersburg, FL
Cross-country relocations like Goodyear, AZ → St. Petersburg, FL cover 2209 mi and about 39h 4m of driving through 7 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2209 mi · 39h 4m by car · FL → AL → MS → LA → TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | FL → AL → MS → LA → TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | Clearwater, Tampa, Lakeland, Gainesville, Tallahassee |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Goodyear | St. Petersburg | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 100.89 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 88.525 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 95.47 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 125.839 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in St. Petersburg and Goodyear is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Goodyear -1.2%, St. Petersburg —. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Goodyear | St. Petersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 54°F |
| July avg high | 107°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 7.4" | 52.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Goodyear (73.9°F) and St. Petersburg (74.5°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
St. Petersburg gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LAVEEN 3 SSE, AZ US, ST PETERSBURG, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Goodyear | St. Petersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,891 | 260,646 |
| Median household income | $101,814 | $73,118 |
| Median age | 40.8 | 43.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 26.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.87 | 2.23 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 2.3% between Goodyear and St. Petersburg (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in St. Petersburg MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 201,260 | $41,920 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 145,340 | $36,560 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 135,010 | $30,310 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 114,660 | $36,330 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 111,490 | $75,840 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arizona and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in St. Petersburg average 91°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: St. Petersburg averages 52.5 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November — stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is St. Petersburg more expensive than Goodyear?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in St. Petersburg is 2.3% lower than Goodyear (100.89 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Goodyear vs St. Petersburg?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,118 in St. Petersburg vs $101,814 in Goodyear — a 28.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is St. Petersburg, FL from Goodyear, AZ?
The driving distance is 2209 mi and the route typically takes 39h 4m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Goodyear and St. Petersburg?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 74.5°F in St. Petersburg vs 73.9°F in Goodyear (0.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 52.5 in vs 7.4 in.
How does the job market in St. Petersburg compare to Goodyear?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,420 in the St. Petersburg MSA vs $48,600 in the Goodyear MSA, on total employment of 1,412,840 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Goodyear to St. Petersburg?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2209 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Goodyear.
City profiles: Goodyear, AZ · St. Petersburg, FL.