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

St. Petersburg

Florida
106
VS

Columbia

South Carolina
80

St. Petersburg is 32% more expensive than Columbia.

$1,542/mo ↑ 33%
Median Rent
$1,158/mo ↓ 25%
$73,118/yr ↑ 31%
Median Income
$55,653/yr ↓ 24%
$331,500 ↑ 36%
Home Value
$243,500 ↓ 27%
$1,435/mo ↑ 23%
Owner Costs
$1,169/mo ↓ 19%
260,646
Population
138,019

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
25.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Petersburg, FL and Columbia, SC, the overall cost of living indices are 106 and 80 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $384/month cheaper in Columbia, saving renters about $4,608/year.

Median household income is $17,465/year higher in St. Petersburg. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Petersburg is $331,500 compared to $243,500 in Columbia.

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 Columbia — common questions

Is St. Petersburg or Columbia cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Columbia is cheaper to live in with an index of 80 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Petersburg and Columbia?
Median rent in St. Petersburg is $1,542/month and in Columbia it's $1,158/month — a difference of $384/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Petersburg or Columbia?
Median household income is $73,118 in St. Petersburg and $55,653 in Columbia. Median household income is $17,465/year higher in St. Petersburg.
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 Columbia?
It depends on your priorities. St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with median rent of $1,542/mo, while Columbia has a cost index of 80 with rent of $1,158/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Petersburg details → View Columbia details →

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