Moving from St. Petersburg, FL to Tampa, FL
The drive from St. Petersburg to Tampa 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
| St. Petersburg | Tampa | 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 |
Tampa and St. Petersburg are close on the overall BEA RPP (100.89 vs 100.89); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Petersburg —, Tampa -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | St. Petersburg | Tampa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 54°F | 53°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 52.5" | 49.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 74.5°F vs 74.5°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Tampa sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ST PETERSBURG, FL US, TAMPA INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Petersburg | Tampa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 260,646 | 393,389 |
| Median household income | $73,118 | $71,302 |
| Median age | 43.1 | 35.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.1% | 26.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.23 | 2.45 |
Household income lines up — $73,118 vs $71,302 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tampa 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 Tampa average 91°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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
How far is Tampa, FL from St. Petersburg, 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.
How does the job market in Tampa compare to St. Petersburg?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,420 in the Tampa MSA vs $46,420 in the St. Petersburg 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.
When is the best time to move from St. Petersburg to Tampa?
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 St. Petersburg vs Tampa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $71,302 in Tampa vs $73,118 in St. Petersburg — a 2.5% lower 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 St. Petersburg.
City profiles: St. Petersburg, FL · Tampa, FL.