($1,168) Movers From St. Petersburg, FL to Chattanooga, TN

What to know before moving from St. Petersburg to Chattanooga

Moving from St. Petersburg to Chattanooga comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Chattanooga is generally more expensive than St. Petersburg, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Chattanooga are 29% lower than in St. Petersburg, which means you’ll have more money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Chattanooga.
  Home prices in Chattanooga are 16.1% lower than in St. Petersburg.
• Income in Chattanooga is 6.5% lower than in St. Petersburg, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Chattanooga include Hamilton County, Schools Erlanger, and Health System.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Chattanooga, since the cost of living for a single person in Chattanooga is 24.9% higher than in St. Petersburg. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Chattanooga is 29.6% lower than in St. Petersburg.
• The unemployment rate in Chattanooga is 21.74% higher than in St. Petersburg.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Chattanooga, since the city’s sales taxes in Chattanooga are 32.14% higher than in St. Petersburg.
• State income taxes are the same in Chattanooga and St. Petersburg.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,747.16 in Chattanooga to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in St. Petersburg.

How life is different in St. Petersburg vs. Chattanooga

• Chattanooga's population is about 30% less than St. Petersburg.
• Chattanooga's public transportation has a score of 3 out of 10 versus St. Petersburg's higher score of 6.
• Chattanooga is less walkable than St. Petersburg with a score of 29 out of 100 vs St. Petersburg's 43 out of 100.
• Chattanooga has a bike-friendliness score 35 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible to and safe for cyclists as St. Petersburg, which has a score of 59 out of 100.
• Chattanooga's crime rate is higher than St. Petersburg with a score of 53.89 compared to St. Petersburg's 39.54. This means that Chattanooga neighborhoods are safer than 53.89% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and St. Petersburg neighborhoods are safer than 39.54%.
• Chattanooga is considered to be less safe than St. Petersburg with a score of 46.11 vs St. Petersburg's 60.46.
• Air quality in Chattanooga is good, and in St. Petersburg it's good.

Other things to consider for your St. Petersburg vs. Chattanooga move

• Weather: May, September and October are the most suitable months for moving in Chattanooga, while you might reconsider your plans in January and July as these are the least comfortable months.
• HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
• Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
• State licensing: Although a local license is not required in Tennessee, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a Tennessee moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Tennessee does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Chattanooga. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.When it comes to movers' insurance in Tennessee, most moving companies offer Released Value Protection at no extra charge. This basic coverage extends to 60 cents per pound per item. For increased protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Additionally, exploring third-party insurance providers is a viable choice for tailored plans. Prioritize understanding coverage limits, potential extra costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Tennessee.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Chattanooga

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Scenic City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Chattanooga.

Helpful moving resources