Cost of Living: St. Petersburg, FL vs Cedar Rapids, IA (2026)

St. Petersburg

Florida
106
VS

Cedar Rapids

Iowa
65

St. Petersburg is 63% more expensive than Cedar Rapids.

$1,542/mo ↑ 67%
Median Rent
$925/mo ↓ 40%
$73,118/yr ↑ 8%
Median Income
$67,859/yr ↓ 7%
$331,500 ↑ 87%
Home Value
$177,100 ↓ 47%
$1,435/mo ↑ 32%
Owner Costs
$1,084/mo ↓ 24%
260,646
Population
136,859

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.7%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
1.57%

Affordability

25.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
16.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Petersburg, FL and Cedar Rapids, IA, the overall cost of living indices are 106 and 65 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $617/month cheaper in Cedar Rapids, saving renters about $7,404/year.

Median household income is $5,259/year higher in St. Petersburg. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Petersburg is $331,500 compared to $177,100 in Cedar Rapids.

Florida has no state income tax, giving St. Petersburg residents a significant tax advantage over Iowa's 5.7% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Petersburg vs Cedar Rapids — common questions

Is St. Petersburg or Cedar Rapids cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cedar Rapids is cheaper to live in with an index of 65 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Petersburg and Cedar Rapids?
Median rent in St. Petersburg is $1,542/month and in Cedar Rapids it's $925/month — a difference of $617/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Petersburg or Cedar Rapids?
Median household income is $73,118 in St. Petersburg and $67,859 in Cedar Rapids. Median household income is $5,259/year higher in St. Petersburg.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Iowa?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Iowa has 5.7% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 1.57% property tax.
Should I move to St. Petersburg or Cedar Rapids?
It depends on your priorities. St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with median rent of $1,542/mo, while Cedar Rapids has a cost index of 65 with rent of $925/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Petersburg details → View Cedar Rapids details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Petersburg and Cedar Rapids

St. Petersburg vs. Lubbock St. Petersburg vs. Laredo St. Petersburg vs. Fort Wayne St. Petersburg vs. Irving St. Petersburg vs. Toledo St. Petersburg vs. Chesapeake Cedar Rapids vs. Hampton Cedar Rapids vs. Dayton Cedar Rapids vs. West Valley City Cedar Rapids vs. Pasadena Cedar Rapids vs. Columbia Cedar Rapids vs. Miramar