Moving from St. Petersburg, FL to Peoria, AZ
Moving from St. Petersburg, FL to Peoria, AZ is a 2213 mi cross-country relocation — about 38h 48m of driving through 7 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2213 mi · 38h 48m 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
| St. Petersburg | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.89 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.525 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.47 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.839 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Peoria and St. Petersburg are close on the overall BEA RPP (100.89 vs 103.316); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Petersburg —, Peoria -1.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | St. Petersburg | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 54°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 105°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 52.5" | 9.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 74.5°F vs 70.2°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Peoria sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ST PETERSBURG, FL US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Petersburg | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 260,646 | 194,338 |
| Median household income | $73,118 | $93,403 |
| Median age | 43.1 | 42.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.1% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.23 | 2.66 |
Median household income in Peoria is 2.4% above St. Petersburg ($73,118 vs $93,403, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Peoria MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Florida and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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 Peoria average 105°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Peoria sees only 9.6 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Peoria compare to St. Petersburg?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Peoria MSA vs $46,420 in the St. Petersburg MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 1,412,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between St. Petersburg and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.2°F in Peoria vs 74.5°F in St. Petersburg (4.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 9.6 in vs 52.5 in.
How far is Peoria, AZ from St. Petersburg, FL?
The driving distance is 2213 mi and the route typically takes 38h 48m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Peoria more expensive than St. Petersburg?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 2.4% higher than St. Petersburg (103.316 vs 100.89, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in St. Petersburg vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,403 in Peoria vs $73,118 in St. Petersburg — a 27.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from St. Petersburg to Peoria?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2213 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 St. Petersburg.
City profiles: St. Petersburg, FL · Peoria, AZ.