Moving from Orlando, FL to St. Petersburg, FL
The 111 mi from Orlando to St. Petersburg translate to about 2h 15m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
111 mi · 2h 15m by car · FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 4, FL 417 TOLL, I 275 |
| Major cities en route | Lakeland, Tampa, Clearwater |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Orlando | St. Petersburg | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.418 | 100.89 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.196 | 88.525 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 95.47 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.374 | 125.839 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Orlando (101.418) and St. Petersburg (100.89) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Orlando -3.5%, St. Petersburg —. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Orlando | St. Petersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 73°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 50°F | 54°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.5" | 52.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in St. Petersburg — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ORLANDO INTL AP, FL US, ST PETERSBURG, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Orlando | St. Petersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,732 | 260,646 |
| Median household income | $69,268 | $73,118 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 43.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.1% | 26.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.23 |
Income steps up 0.5%: $69,268 in Orlando vs $73,118 in St. Petersburg.
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.
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.
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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Orlando 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 111 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in St. Petersburg compare to Orlando?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,420 in the St. Petersburg MSA vs $43,120 in the Orlando MSA, on total employment of 1,412,840 and 1,366,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Orlando and St. Petersburg?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 74.5°F in St. Petersburg vs 73.0°F in Orlando (1.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 52.5 in vs 51.5 in.
Is St. Petersburg more expensive than Orlando?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in St. Petersburg is 0.5% lower than Orlando (100.89 vs 101.418, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is St. Petersburg, FL from Orlando, FL?
The driving distance is 111 mi and the route typically takes 2h 15m via I 4 and FL 417 TOLL. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Orlando vs St. Petersburg?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,118 in St. Petersburg vs $69,268 in Orlando — a 5.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Orlando.
City profiles: Orlando, FL · St. Petersburg, FL.