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

St. Petersburg

Florida
106
VS

Arlington

Virginia
203

St. Petersburg is 48% cheaper than Arlington.

$1,542/mo ↓ 32%
Median Rent
$2,275/mo ↑ 48%
$73,118/yr ↓ 48%
Median Income
$140,160/yr ↑ 92%
$331,500 ↓ 62%
Home Value
$864,800 ↑ 161%
$1,435/mo ↓ 41%
Owner Costs
$2,414/mo ↑ 68%
260,646
Population
235,463

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
19.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Petersburg, FL and Arlington, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 106 and 203 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $733/month cheaper in St. Petersburg, saving renters about $8,796/year.

Median household income is $67,042/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Petersburg is $331,500 compared to $864,800 in Arlington.

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 Arlington — common questions

Is St. Petersburg or Arlington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Petersburg is cheaper to live in with an index of 106 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Petersburg and Arlington?
Median rent in St. Petersburg is $1,542/month and in Arlington it's $2,275/month — a difference of $733/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Petersburg or Arlington?
Median household income is $73,118 in St. Petersburg and $140,160 in Arlington. Median household income is $67,042/year higher in Arlington.
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 Arlington?
It depends on your priorities. St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with median rent of $1,542/mo, while Arlington has a cost index of 203 with rent of $2,275/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Petersburg details → View Arlington details →

More Comparisons

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