Cost of Living: St. Petersburg, FL vs Cary, NC (2026)

St. Petersburg

Florida
106
VS

Cary

North Carolina
135

St. Petersburg is 21% cheaper than Cary.

$1,542/mo ↓ 5%
Median Rent
$1,621/mo ↑ 5%
$73,118/yr ↓ 43%
Median Income
$129,399/yr ↑ 77%
$331,500 ↓ 37%
Home Value
$525,200 ↑ 58%
$1,435/mo ↓ 18%
Owner Costs
$1,744/mo ↑ 22%
260,646
Population
176,686

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.5%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

25.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
15.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Petersburg, FL and Cary, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 106 and 135 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $79/month cheaper in St. Petersburg, saving renters about $948/year.

Median household income is $56,281/year higher in Cary. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Petersburg is $331,500 compared to $525,200 in Cary.

Florida has no state income tax, giving St. Petersburg residents a significant tax advantage over North Carolina's 4.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Petersburg vs Cary — common questions

Is St. Petersburg or Cary cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Petersburg is cheaper to live in with an index of 106 compared to 135 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Petersburg and Cary?
Median rent in St. Petersburg is $1,542/month and in Cary it's $1,621/month — a difference of $79/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Petersburg or Cary?
Median household income is $73,118 in St. Petersburg and $129,399 in Cary. Median household income is $56,281/year higher in Cary.
How do taxes compare between Florida and North Carolina?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to St. Petersburg or Cary?
It depends on your priorities. St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with median rent of $1,542/mo, while Cary has a cost index of 135 with rent of $1,621/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Petersburg details → View Cary details →

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