Cost of Living: Mesa, AZ vs St. Petersburg, FL (2026)

Mesa

Arizona
107
VS

St. Petersburg

Florida
106

Mesa and St. Petersburg have a similar cost of living.

$1,478/mo ↓ 4%
Median Rent
$1,542/mo ↑ 4%
$78,779/yr ↑ 8%
Median Income
$73,118/yr ↓ 7%
$364,300 ↑ 10%
Home Value
$331,500 ↓ 9%
$1,404/mo ↓ 2%
Owner Costs
$1,435/mo ↑ 2%
507,478
Population
260,646

Tax Comparison

2.5%
Income Tax
0%
5.6%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.62%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

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

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Mesa, AZ and St. Petersburg, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 107 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $64/month cheaper in Mesa, saving renters about $768/year.

Median household income is $5,661/year higher in Mesa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Mesa is $364,300 compared to $331,500 in St. Petersburg.

Florida has no state income tax, giving St. Petersburg residents a significant tax advantage over Arizona's 2.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mesa vs St. Petersburg — common questions

Is Mesa 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 107 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Mesa and St. Petersburg?
Median rent in Mesa is $1,478/month and in St. Petersburg it's $1,542/month — a difference of $64/month.
Which city has higher income, Mesa or St. Petersburg?
Median household income is $78,779 in Mesa and $73,118 in St. Petersburg. Median household income is $5,661/year higher in Mesa.
How do taxes compare between Arizona and Florida?
Arizona has 2.5% income tax, 5.6% sales tax, and 0.62% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Mesa or St. Petersburg?
It depends on your priorities. Mesa has a cost index of 107 with median rent of $1,478/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 Mesa details → View St. Petersburg details →

More Comparisons

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