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

Columbus

Ohio
83
VS

St. Petersburg

Florida
106

Columbus is 22% cheaper than St. Petersburg.

$1,224/mo ↓ 21%
Median Rent
$1,542/mo ↑ 26%
$65,327/yr ↓ 11%
Median Income
$73,118/yr ↑ 12%
$234,500 ↓ 29%
Home Value
$331,500 ↑ 41%
$1,243/mo ↓ 13%
Owner Costs
$1,435/mo ↑ 15%
906,480
Population
260,646

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

22.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Columbus, OH and St. Petersburg, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 83 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $318/month cheaper in Columbus, saving renters about $3,816/year.

Median household income is $7,791/year higher in St. Petersburg. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Columbus is $234,500 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

Columbus vs St. Petersburg — common questions

Is Columbus or St. Petersburg cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Columbus is cheaper to live in with an index of 83 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Columbus and St. Petersburg?
Median rent in Columbus is $1,224/month and in St. Petersburg it's $1,542/month — a difference of $318/month.
Which city has higher income, Columbus or St. Petersburg?
Median household income is $65,327 in Columbus and $73,118 in St. Petersburg. Median household income is $7,791/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 Columbus or St. Petersburg?
It depends on your priorities. Columbus has a cost index of 83 with median rent of $1,224/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 Columbus details → View St. Petersburg details →

More Comparisons

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