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

St. Petersburg

Florida
106
VS

Dayton

Ohio
50

St. Petersburg is 112% more expensive than Dayton.

$1,542/mo ↑ 78%
Median Rent
$866/mo ↓ 44%
$73,118/yr ↑ 68%
Median Income
$43,454/yr ↓ 41%
$331,500 ↑ 256%
Home Value
$93,200 ↓ 72%
$1,435/mo ↑ 72%
Owner Costs
$833/mo ↓ 42%
260,646
Population
136,741

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
3.5%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
5.75%
0.86%
Property Tax
1.53%

Affordability

25.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Petersburg, FL and Dayton, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 106 and 50 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $676/month cheaper in Dayton, saving renters about $8,112/year.

Median household income is $29,664/year higher in St. Petersburg. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Petersburg is $331,500 compared to $93,200 in Dayton.

Florida has no state income tax, giving St. Petersburg residents a significant tax advantage over Ohio's 3.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Petersburg vs Dayton — common questions

Is St. Petersburg or Dayton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Dayton is cheaper to live in with an index of 50 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Petersburg and Dayton?
Median rent in St. Petersburg is $1,542/month and in Dayton it's $866/month — a difference of $676/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Petersburg or Dayton?
Median household income is $73,118 in St. Petersburg and $43,454 in Dayton. Median household income is $29,664/year higher in St. Petersburg.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Ohio?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax.
Should I move to St. Petersburg or Dayton?
It depends on your priorities. St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with median rent of $1,542/mo, while Dayton has a cost index of 50 with rent of $866/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Petersburg details → View Dayton details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Petersburg and Dayton

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