Cost of Living: St. Petersburg, FL vs Cape Coral, FL (2026)

St. Petersburg

Florida
106
VS

Cape Coral

Florida
114

St. Petersburg is 7% cheaper than Cape Coral.

$1,542/mo ↓ 12%
Median Rent
$1,751/mo ↑ 14%
$73,118/yr ↓ 4%
Median Income
$76,062/yr ↑ 4%
$331,500 ↓ 2%
Home Value
$339,200 ↑ 2%
$1,435/mo ↓ 6%
Owner Costs
$1,523/mo ↑ 6%
260,646
Population
206,387

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

25.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Petersburg, FL and Cape Coral, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 106 and 114 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $209/month cheaper in St. Petersburg, saving renters about $2,508/year.

Median household income is $2,944/year higher in Cape Coral. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Petersburg is $331,500 compared to $339,200 in Cape Coral.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in Florida.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Petersburg vs Cape Coral — common questions

Is St. Petersburg or Cape Coral cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Petersburg is cheaper to live in with an index of 106 compared to 114 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Petersburg and Cape Coral?
Median rent in St. Petersburg is $1,542/month and in Cape Coral it's $1,751/month — a difference of $209/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Petersburg or Cape Coral?
Median household income is $73,118 in St. Petersburg and $76,062 in Cape Coral. Median household income is $2,944/year higher in Cape Coral.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Florida?
Both cities are in Florida and share the same state tax rates: 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to St. Petersburg or Cape Coral?
It depends on your priorities. St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with median rent of $1,542/mo, while Cape Coral has a cost index of 114 with rent of $1,751/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Petersburg details → View Cape Coral details →

More Comparisons

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