Cost of Living: Cleveland, OH vs St. Petersburg, FL (2026)

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

St. Petersburg

Florida
106

Cleveland is 52% cheaper than St. Petersburg.

$894/mo ↓ 42%
Median Rent
$1,542/mo ↑ 72%
$39,187/yr ↓ 46%
Median Income
$73,118/yr ↑ 87%
$94,100 ↓ 72%
Home Value
$331,500 ↑ 252%
$866/mo ↓ 40%
Owner Costs
$1,435/mo ↑ 66%
367,523
Population
260,646

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
0%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.53%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and St. Petersburg, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $648/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $7,776/year.

Median household income is $33,931/year higher in St. Petersburg. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $331,500 in St. Petersburg.

Florida has no state income tax, giving St. Petersburg residents a significant tax advantage over Ohio's 3.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs St. Petersburg — common questions

Is Cleveland or St. Petersburg cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and St. Petersburg?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in St. Petersburg it's $1,542/month — a difference of $648/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or St. Petersburg?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $73,118 in St. Petersburg. Median household income is $33,931/year higher in St. Petersburg.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and Florida?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Cleveland or St. Petersburg?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/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 Cleveland details → View St. Petersburg details →

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