Cost of Living: St. Petersburg, FL vs Chesapeake, VA (2026)

St. Petersburg

Florida
106
VS

Chesapeake

Virginia
112

St. Petersburg is 5% cheaper than Chesapeake.

$1,542/mo ↑ 1%
Median Rent
$1,523/mo ↓ 1%
$73,118/yr ↓ 22%
Median Income
$94,189/yr ↑ 29%
$331,500 ↓ 8%
Home Value
$359,100 ↑ 8%
$1,435/mo ↓ 15%
Owner Costs
$1,680/mo ↑ 17%
260,646
Population
251,153

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.75%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
5.3%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

25.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Petersburg, FL and Chesapeake, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 106 and 112 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is comparable in both cities, with less than $50/month separating them.

Median household income is $21,071/year higher in Chesapeake. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Petersburg is $331,500 compared to $359,100 in Chesapeake.

Florida has no state income tax, giving St. Petersburg residents a significant tax advantage over Virginia's 5.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Petersburg vs Chesapeake — common questions

Is St. Petersburg or Chesapeake cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Petersburg is cheaper to live in with an index of 106 compared to 112 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Petersburg and Chesapeake?
Median rent in St. Petersburg is $1,542/month and in Chesapeake it's $1,523/month — a difference of $19/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Petersburg or Chesapeake?
Median household income is $73,118 in St. Petersburg and $94,189 in Chesapeake. Median household income is $21,071/year higher in Chesapeake.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Virginia?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to St. Petersburg or Chesapeake?
It depends on your priorities. St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with median rent of $1,542/mo, while Chesapeake has a cost index of 112 with rent of $1,523/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Petersburg details → View Chesapeake details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Petersburg and Chesapeake

St. Petersburg vs. Lubbock St. Petersburg vs. Laredo St. Petersburg vs. Fort Wayne St. Petersburg vs. Irving St. Petersburg vs. Toledo St. Petersburg vs. Reno Chesapeake vs. Irving Chesapeake vs. Winston-Salem Chesapeake vs. Laredo Chesapeake vs. Glendale Chesapeake vs. Garland Chesapeake vs. Lubbock