Cost of Living: St. Petersburg, FL vs Brownsville, TX (2026)

St. Petersburg

Florida
106
VS

Brownsville

Texas
54

St. Petersburg is 96% more expensive than Brownsville.

$1,542/mo ↑ 70%
Median Rent
$906/mo ↓ 41%
$73,118/yr ↑ 50%
Median Income
$48,675/yr ↓ 33%
$331,500 ↑ 171%
Home Value
$122,400 ↓ 63%
$1,435/mo ↑ 73%
Owner Costs
$830/mo ↓ 42%
260,646
Population
188,023

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.86%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

25.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Petersburg, FL and Brownsville, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 106 and 54 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $636/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $7,632/year.

Median household income is $24,443/year higher in St. Petersburg. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Petersburg is $331,500 compared to $122,400 in Brownsville.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Petersburg vs Brownsville — common questions

Is St. Petersburg or Brownsville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Petersburg and Brownsville?
Median rent in St. Petersburg is $1,542/month and in Brownsville it's $906/month — a difference of $636/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Petersburg or Brownsville?
Median household income is $73,118 in St. Petersburg and $48,675 in Brownsville. Median household income is $24,443/year higher in St. Petersburg.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Texas?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to St. Petersburg or Brownsville?
It depends on your priorities. St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with median rent of $1,542/mo, while Brownsville has a cost index of 54 with rent of $906/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Petersburg details → View Brownsville details →

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