Cost of Living: Irvine, CA vs St. Petersburg, FL (2026)

Irvine

California
256
VS

St. Petersburg

Florida
106

Irvine is 142% more expensive than St. Petersburg.

$2,893/mo ↑ 88%
Median Rent
$1,542/mo ↓ 47%
$129,647/yr ↑ 77%
Median Income
$73,118/yr ↓ 44%
$1,115,400 ↑ 236%
Home Value
$331,500 ↓ 70%
$2,904/mo ↑ 102%
Owner Costs
$1,435/mo ↓ 51%
308,160
Population
260,646

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Irvine, CA and St. Petersburg, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 256 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,351/month cheaper in St. Petersburg, saving renters about $16,212/year.

Median household income is $56,529/year higher in Irvine. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Irvine is $1,115,400 compared to $331,500 in St. Petersburg.

Florida has no state income tax, giving St. Petersburg residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Irvine vs St. Petersburg — common questions

Is Irvine or St. Petersburg cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Petersburg is cheaper to live in with an index of 106 compared to 256 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Irvine and St. Petersburg?
Median rent in Irvine is $2,893/month and in St. Petersburg it's $1,542/month — a difference of $1,351/month.
Which city has higher income, Irvine or St. Petersburg?
Median household income is $129,647 in Irvine and $73,118 in St. Petersburg. Median household income is $56,529/year higher in Irvine.
How do taxes compare between California and Florida?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Irvine or St. Petersburg?
It depends on your priorities. Irvine has a cost index of 256 with median rent of $2,893/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 Irvine details → View St. Petersburg details →

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