Moving from Tampa, FL to St. Petersburg, FL
The drive from Tampa to St. Petersburg covers 23 mi in about 30 min. Local moves still matter — school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
23 mi · 30 min by car · FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 275, I 175 |
| Major cities en route | Clearwater |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tampa | St. Petersburg | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.89 | 100.89 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.525 | 88.525 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.47 | 95.47 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.839 | 125.839 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Tampa (100.89) 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: Tampa -3.5%, St. Petersburg —. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Tampa | St. Petersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 53°F | 54°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 49.5" | 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: TAMPA INTL AP, FL US, ST PETERSBURG, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tampa | St. Petersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 393,389 | 260,646 |
| Median household income | $71,302 | $73,118 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 43.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.3% | 26.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.45 | 2.23 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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 Tampa 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 23 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Tampa vs St. Petersburg?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,118 in St. Petersburg vs $71,302 in Tampa — a 2.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in St. Petersburg compare to Tampa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,420 in the St. Petersburg MSA vs $46,420 in the Tampa MSA, on total employment of 1,412,840 and 1,412,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is St. Petersburg, FL from Tampa, FL?
The driving distance is 23 mi and the route typically takes 30 min via I 275 and I 175. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tampa.
City profiles: Tampa, FL · St. Petersburg, FL.