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

St. Petersburg

Florida
106
VS

Columbus

Georgia
69

St. Petersburg is 54% more expensive than Columbus.

$1,542/mo ↑ 44%
Median Rent
$1,072/mo ↓ 30%
$73,118/yr ↑ 29%
Median Income
$56,622/yr ↓ 23%
$331,500 ↑ 82%
Home Value
$182,300 ↓ 45%
$1,435/mo ↑ 35%
Owner Costs
$1,064/mo ↓ 26%
260,646
Population
204,383

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.49%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.92%

Affordability

25.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Petersburg, FL and Columbus, GA, the overall cost of living indices are 106 and 69 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $470/month cheaper in Columbus, saving renters about $5,640/year.

Median household income is $16,496/year higher in St. Petersburg. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Petersburg is $331,500 compared to $182,300 in Columbus.

Florida has no state income tax, giving St. Petersburg residents a significant tax advantage over Georgia's 5.49% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Petersburg vs Columbus — common questions

Is St. Petersburg or Columbus cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Columbus is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Petersburg and Columbus?
Median rent in St. Petersburg is $1,542/month and in Columbus it's $1,072/month — a difference of $470/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Petersburg or Columbus?
Median household income is $73,118 in St. Petersburg and $56,622 in Columbus. Median household income is $16,496/year higher in St. Petersburg.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Georgia?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Georgia has 5.49% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax.
Should I move to St. Petersburg or Columbus?
It depends on your priorities. St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with median rent of $1,542/mo, while Columbus has a cost index of 69 with rent of $1,072/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Petersburg details → View Columbus details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Petersburg and Columbus

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