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

St. Petersburg

Florida
106
VS

Birmingham

Alabama
62

St. Petersburg is 71% more expensive than Birmingham.

$1,542/mo ↑ 47%
Median Rent
$1,047/mo ↓ 32%
$73,118/yr ↑ 65%
Median Income
$44,376/yr ↓ 39%
$331,500 ↑ 139%
Home Value
$138,600 ↓ 58%
$1,435/mo ↑ 45%
Owner Costs
$991/mo ↓ 31%
260,646
Population
199,322

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.0%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.41%

Affordability

25.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Petersburg, FL and Birmingham, AL, the overall cost of living indices are 106 and 62 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $495/month cheaper in Birmingham, saving renters about $5,940/year.

Median household income is $28,742/year higher in St. Petersburg. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Petersburg is $331,500 compared to $138,600 in Birmingham.

Florida has no state income tax, giving St. Petersburg residents a significant tax advantage over Alabama's 5.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Petersburg vs Birmingham — common questions

Is St. Petersburg or Birmingham cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Birmingham is cheaper to live in with an index of 62 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Petersburg and Birmingham?
Median rent in St. Petersburg is $1,542/month and in Birmingham it's $1,047/month — a difference of $495/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Petersburg or Birmingham?
Median household income is $73,118 in St. Petersburg and $44,376 in Birmingham. Median household income is $28,742/year higher in St. Petersburg.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Alabama?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Alabama has 5.0% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.41% property tax.
Should I move to St. Petersburg or Birmingham?
It depends on your priorities. St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with median rent of $1,542/mo, while Birmingham has a cost index of 62 with rent of $1,047/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Petersburg details → View Birmingham details →

More Comparisons

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