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

St. Petersburg

Florida
106
VS

Clearwater

Florida
105

St. Petersburg and Clearwater have a similar cost of living.

$1,542/mo ≈ Same
Median Rent
$1,539/mo ≈ Same
$73,118/yr ↑ 13%
Median Income
$64,440/yr ↓ 12%
$331,500 ↑ 2%
Home Value
$326,100 ↓ 2%
$1,435/mo ↑ 2%
Owner Costs
$1,411/mo ↓ 2%
260,646
Population
117,075

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

25.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Petersburg, FL and Clearwater, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 106 and 105 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is comparable in both cities, with less than $50/month separating them.

Median household income is $8,678/year higher in St. Petersburg. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Petersburg is $331,500 compared to $326,100 in Clearwater.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Petersburg vs Clearwater — common questions

Is St. Petersburg or Clearwater cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Clearwater is cheaper to live in with an index of 105 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Petersburg and Clearwater?
Median rent in St. Petersburg is $1,542/month and in Clearwater it's $1,539/month — a difference of $3/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Petersburg or Clearwater?
Median household income is $73,118 in St. Petersburg and $64,440 in Clearwater. Median household income is $8,678/year higher in St. Petersburg.
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 Clearwater?
It depends on your priorities. St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with median rent of $1,542/mo, while Clearwater has a cost index of 105 with rent of $1,539/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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