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

St. Petersburg

Florida
106
VS

Athens

Georgia
83

St. Petersburg is 28% more expensive than Athens.

$1,542/mo ↑ 33%
Median Rent
$1,162/mo ↓ 25%
$73,118/yr ↑ 42%
Median Income
$51,655/yr ↓ 29%
$331,500 ↑ 22%
Home Value
$271,800 ↓ 18%
$1,435/mo ↑ 23%
Owner Costs
$1,163/mo ↓ 19%
260,646
Population
126,987

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.49%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.92%

Affordability

25.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Petersburg, FL and Athens, GA, the overall cost of living indices are 106 and 83 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $380/month cheaper in Athens, saving renters about $4,560/year.

Median household income is $21,463/year higher in St. Petersburg. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Petersburg is $331,500 compared to $271,800 in Athens.

Florida has no state income tax, giving St. Petersburg residents a significant tax advantage over Georgia's 5.49% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Petersburg vs Athens — common questions

Is St. Petersburg or Athens cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Athens is cheaper to live in with an index of 83 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Petersburg and Athens?
Median rent in St. Petersburg is $1,542/month and in Athens it's $1,162/month — a difference of $380/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Petersburg or Athens?
Median household income is $73,118 in St. Petersburg and $51,655 in Athens. Median household income is $21,463/year higher in St. Petersburg.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Georgia?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Georgia has 5.49% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax.
Should I move to St. Petersburg or Athens?
It depends on your priorities. St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with median rent of $1,542/mo, while Athens has a cost index of 83 with rent of $1,162/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Petersburg details → View Athens details →

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