Cost of Living: St. Petersburg, FL vs Des Moines, IA (2026)

St. Petersburg

Florida
106
VS

Des Moines

Iowa
70

St. Petersburg is 51% more expensive than Des Moines.

$1,542/mo ↑ 46%
Median Rent
$1,054/mo ↓ 32%
$73,118/yr ↑ 14%
Median Income
$63,966/yr ↓ 13%
$331,500 ↑ 80%
Home Value
$183,700 ↓ 45%
$1,435/mo ↑ 26%
Owner Costs
$1,137/mo ↓ 21%
260,646
Population
212,464

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.7%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
1.57%

Affordability

25.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Petersburg, FL and Des Moines, IA, the overall cost of living indices are 106 and 70 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $488/month cheaper in Des Moines, saving renters about $5,856/year.

Median household income is $9,152/year higher in St. Petersburg. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Petersburg is $331,500 compared to $183,700 in Des Moines.

Florida has no state income tax, giving St. Petersburg residents a significant tax advantage over Iowa's 5.7% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Petersburg vs Des Moines — common questions

Is St. Petersburg or Des Moines cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Des Moines is cheaper to live in with an index of 70 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Petersburg and Des Moines?
Median rent in St. Petersburg is $1,542/month and in Des Moines it's $1,054/month — a difference of $488/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Petersburg or Des Moines?
Median household income is $73,118 in St. Petersburg and $63,966 in Des Moines. Median household income is $9,152/year higher in St. Petersburg.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Iowa?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Iowa has 5.7% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 1.57% property tax.
Should I move to St. Petersburg or Des Moines?
It depends on your priorities. St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with median rent of $1,542/mo, while Des Moines has a cost index of 70 with rent of $1,054/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Petersburg details → View Des Moines details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Petersburg and Des Moines

St. Petersburg vs. Lubbock St. Petersburg vs. Laredo St. Petersburg vs. Fort Wayne St. Petersburg vs. Irving St. Petersburg vs. Toledo St. Petersburg vs. Chesapeake Des Moines vs. Modesto Des Moines vs. Fontana Des Moines vs. Huntsville Des Moines vs. Moreno Valley Des Moines vs. Spring Valley Des Moines vs. Frisco