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

St. Petersburg

Florida
106
VS

Alexandria

Virginia
173

St. Petersburg is 39% cheaper than Alexandria.

$1,542/mo ↓ 24%
Median Rent
$2,031/mo ↑ 32%
$73,118/yr ↓ 36%
Median Income
$113,638/yr ↑ 55%
$331,500 ↓ 52%
Home Value
$696,800 ↑ 110%
$1,435/mo ↓ 34%
Owner Costs
$2,173/mo ↑ 51%
260,646
Population
156,788

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.75%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
5.3%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

25.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Petersburg, FL and Alexandria, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 106 and 173 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $489/month cheaper in St. Petersburg, saving renters about $5,868/year.

Median household income is $40,520/year higher in Alexandria. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Petersburg is $331,500 compared to $696,800 in Alexandria.

Florida has no state income tax, giving St. Petersburg residents a significant tax advantage over Virginia's 5.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Petersburg vs Alexandria — common questions

Is St. Petersburg or Alexandria cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Petersburg is cheaper to live in with an index of 106 compared to 173 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Petersburg and Alexandria?
Median rent in St. Petersburg is $1,542/month and in Alexandria it's $2,031/month — a difference of $489/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Petersburg or Alexandria?
Median household income is $73,118 in St. Petersburg and $113,638 in Alexandria. Median household income is $40,520/year higher in Alexandria.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Virginia?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to St. Petersburg or Alexandria?
It depends on your priorities. St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with median rent of $1,542/mo, while Alexandria has a cost index of 173 with rent of $2,031/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Petersburg details → View Alexandria details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Petersburg and Alexandria

St. Petersburg vs. Lubbock St. Petersburg vs. Laredo St. Petersburg vs. Fort Wayne St. Petersburg vs. Irving St. Petersburg vs. Toledo St. Petersburg vs. Chesapeake Alexandria vs. Murfreesboro Alexandria vs. Macon Alexandria vs. Paterson Alexandria vs. Lakewood Alexandria vs. Corona Alexandria vs. Killeen