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

Orlando

Florida
115
VS

St. Petersburg

Florida
106

Orlando is 8% more expensive than St. Petersburg.

$1,650/mo ↑ 7%
Median Rent
$1,542/mo ↓ 7%
$69,268/yr ↓ 5%
Median Income
$73,118/yr ↑ 6%
$359,000 ↑ 8%
Home Value
$331,500 ↓ 8%
$1,621/mo ↑ 13%
Owner Costs
$1,435/mo ↓ 11%
311,732
Population
260,646

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

28.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Orlando, FL and St. Petersburg, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 115 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $108/month cheaper in St. Petersburg, saving renters about $1,296/year.

Median household income is $3,850/year higher in St. Petersburg. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Orlando is $359,000 compared to $331,500 in St. Petersburg.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Orlando vs St. Petersburg — common questions

Is Orlando 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 115 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Orlando and St. Petersburg?
Median rent in Orlando is $1,650/month and in St. Petersburg it's $1,542/month — a difference of $108/month.
Which city has higher income, Orlando or St. Petersburg?
Median household income is $69,268 in Orlando and $73,118 in St. Petersburg. Median household income is $3,850/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 Orlando or St. Petersburg?
It depends on your priorities. Orlando has a cost index of 115 with median rent of $1,650/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.
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