Cost of Living: Arlington, TX vs St. Petersburg, FL (2026)

Arlington

Texas
95
VS

St. Petersburg

Florida
106

Arlington is 10% cheaper than St. Petersburg.

$1,389/mo ↓ 10%
Median Rent
$1,542/mo ↑ 11%
$73,519/yr ≈ Same
Median Income
$73,118/yr ≈ Same
$276,400 ↓ 17%
Home Value
$331,500 ↑ 20%
$1,420/mo ↓ 1%
Owner Costs
$1,435/mo ↑ 1%
394,769
Population
260,646

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

22.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, TX and St. Petersburg, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 95 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $153/month cheaper in Arlington, saving renters about $1,836/year.

Median household income is $401/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $276,400 compared to $331,500 in St. Petersburg.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs St. Petersburg — common questions

Is Arlington or St. Petersburg cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Arlington is cheaper to live in with an index of 95 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and St. Petersburg?
Median rent in Arlington is $1,389/month and in St. Petersburg it's $1,542/month — a difference of $153/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or St. Petersburg?
Median household income is $73,519 in Arlington and $73,118 in St. Petersburg. Median household income is $401/year higher in Arlington.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Florida?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Arlington or St. Petersburg?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 95 with median rent of $1,389/mo, while St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with rent of $1,542/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View St. Petersburg details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Arlington and St. Petersburg

Arlington vs. Wichita Arlington vs. Tampa Arlington vs. Bakersfield Arlington vs. Aurora Arlington vs. Tulsa Arlington vs. New Orleans St. Petersburg vs. Lubbock St. Petersburg vs. Laredo St. Petersburg vs. Fort Wayne St. Petersburg vs. Irving St. Petersburg vs. Toledo St. Petersburg vs. Chesapeake