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

Santa Ana

California
163
VS

St. Petersburg

Florida
106

Santa Ana is 54% more expensive than St. Petersburg.

$1,975/mo ↑ 28%
Median Rent
$1,542/mo ↓ 22%
$88,354/yr ↑ 21%
Median Income
$73,118/yr ↓ 17%
$657,800 ↑ 98%
Home Value
$331,500 ↓ 50%
$1,965/mo ↑ 37%
Owner Costs
$1,435/mo ↓ 27%
311,639
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 Santa Ana, CA and St. Petersburg, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 163 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $433/month cheaper in St. Petersburg, saving renters about $5,196/year.

Median household income is $15,236/year higher in Santa Ana. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Ana is $657,800 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

Santa Ana vs St. Petersburg — common questions

Is Santa Ana 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 163 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Ana and St. Petersburg?
Median rent in Santa Ana is $1,975/month and in St. Petersburg it's $1,542/month — a difference of $433/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Ana or St. Petersburg?
Median household income is $88,354 in Santa Ana and $73,118 in St. Petersburg. Median household income is $15,236/year higher in Santa Ana.
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 Santa Ana or St. Petersburg?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Ana has a cost index of 163 with median rent of $1,975/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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More Comparisons

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