Cost of Living: St. Petersburg, FL vs Charleston, SC (2026)

St. Petersburg

Florida
106
VS

Charleston

South Carolina
128

St. Petersburg is 17% cheaper than Charleston.

$1,542/mo ↓ 6%
Median Rent
$1,632/mo ↑ 6%
$73,118/yr ↓ 19%
Median Income
$90,038/yr ↑ 23%
$331,500 ↓ 29%
Home Value
$469,100 ↑ 42%
$1,435/mo ↓ 15%
Owner Costs
$1,688/mo ↑ 18%
260,646
Population
152,014

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
6.4%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.57%

Affordability

25.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Petersburg, FL and Charleston, SC, the overall cost of living indices are 106 and 128 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $90/month cheaper in St. Petersburg, saving renters about $1,080/year.

Median household income is $16,920/year higher in Charleston. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Petersburg is $331,500 compared to $469,100 in Charleston.

Florida has no state income tax, giving St. Petersburg residents a significant tax advantage over South Carolina's 6.4% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Petersburg vs Charleston — common questions

Is St. Petersburg or Charleston cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Petersburg is cheaper to live in with an index of 106 compared to 128 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Petersburg and Charleston?
Median rent in St. Petersburg is $1,542/month and in Charleston it's $1,632/month — a difference of $90/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Petersburg or Charleston?
Median household income is $73,118 in St. Petersburg and $90,038 in Charleston. Median household income is $16,920/year higher in Charleston.
How do taxes compare between Florida and South Carolina?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. South Carolina has 6.4% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.57% property tax.
Should I move to St. Petersburg or Charleston?
It depends on your priorities. St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with median rent of $1,542/mo, while Charleston has a cost index of 128 with rent of $1,632/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Petersburg details → View Charleston details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Petersburg and Charleston

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 Charleston vs. Roseville Charleston vs. Bellevue Charleston vs. Hollywood Charleston vs. Escondido Charleston vs. Sunnyvale Charleston vs. Jackson