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

Miami

Florida
129
VS

St. Petersburg

Florida
106

Miami is 22% more expensive than St. Petersburg.

$1,657/mo ↑ 7%
Median Rent
$1,542/mo ↓ 7%
$59,390/yr ↓ 19%
Median Income
$73,118/yr ↑ 23%
$475,200 ↑ 43%
Home Value
$331,500 ↓ 30%
$1,666/mo ↑ 16%
Owner Costs
$1,435/mo ↓ 14%
446,663
Population
260,646

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

33.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Miami, FL and St. Petersburg, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 129 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $115/month cheaper in St. Petersburg, saving renters about $1,380/year.

Median household income is $13,728/year higher in St. Petersburg. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Miami is $475,200 compared to $331,500 in St. Petersburg.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in Florida.

Frequently Asked Questions

Miami vs St. Petersburg — common questions

Is Miami 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 129 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Miami and St. Petersburg?
Median rent in Miami is $1,657/month and in St. Petersburg it's $1,542/month — a difference of $115/month.
Which city has higher income, Miami or St. Petersburg?
Median household income is $59,390 in Miami and $73,118 in St. Petersburg. Median household income is $13,728/year higher in St. Petersburg.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Florida?
Both cities are in Florida and share the same state tax rates: 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Miami or St. Petersburg?
It depends on your priorities. Miami has a cost index of 129 with median rent of $1,657/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 Miami details → View St. Petersburg details →

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