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

Long Beach

California
169
VS

St. Petersburg

Florida
106

Long Beach is 59% more expensive than St. Petersburg.

$1,803/mo ↑ 17%
Median Rent
$1,542/mo ↓ 14%
$83,969/yr ↑ 15%
Median Income
$73,118/yr ↓ 13%
$762,200 ↑ 130%
Home Value
$331,500 ↓ 57%
$1,890/mo ↑ 32%
Owner Costs
$1,435/mo ↓ 24%
458,491
Population
260,646

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

25.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Long Beach, CA and St. Petersburg, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 169 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $261/month cheaper in St. Petersburg, saving renters about $3,132/year.

Median household income is $10,851/year higher in Long Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Long Beach is $762,200 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

Long Beach vs St. Petersburg — common questions

Is Long Beach 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 169 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Long Beach and St. Petersburg?
Median rent in Long Beach is $1,803/month and in St. Petersburg it's $1,542/month — a difference of $261/month.
Which city has higher income, Long Beach or St. Petersburg?
Median household income is $83,969 in Long Beach and $73,118 in St. Petersburg. Median household income is $10,851/year higher in Long Beach.
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 Long Beach or St. Petersburg?
It depends on your priorities. Long Beach has a cost index of 169 with median rent of $1,803/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 Long Beach details → View St. Petersburg details →

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