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

St. Petersburg

Florida
106
VS

Fairfield

California
167

St. Petersburg is 37% cheaper than Fairfield.

$1,542/mo ↓ 30%
Median Rent
$2,191/mo ↑ 42%
$73,118/yr ↓ 29%
Median Income
$102,321/yr ↑ 40%
$331,500 ↓ 44%
Home Value
$592,500 ↑ 79%
$1,435/mo ↓ 36%
Owner Costs
$2,226/mo ↑ 55%
260,646
Population
119,985

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

25.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Petersburg, FL and Fairfield, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 106 and 167 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $649/month cheaper in St. Petersburg, saving renters about $7,788/year.

Median household income is $29,203/year higher in Fairfield. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Petersburg is $331,500 compared to $592,500 in Fairfield.

Florida has no state income tax, giving St. Petersburg residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Petersburg vs Fairfield — common questions

Is St. Petersburg or Fairfield cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Petersburg is cheaper to live in with an index of 106 compared to 167 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Petersburg and Fairfield?
Median rent in St. Petersburg is $1,542/month and in Fairfield it's $2,191/month — a difference of $649/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Petersburg or Fairfield?
Median household income is $73,118 in St. Petersburg and $102,321 in Fairfield. Median household income is $29,203/year higher in Fairfield.
How do taxes compare between Florida and California?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to St. Petersburg or Fairfield?
It depends on your priorities. St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with median rent of $1,542/mo, while Fairfield has a cost index of 167 with rent of $2,191/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Petersburg details → View Fairfield details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Petersburg and Fairfield

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 Fairfield vs. Berkeley Fairfield vs. Hartford Fairfield vs. Ann Arbor Fairfield vs. West Palm Beach Fairfield vs. Lafayette Fairfield vs. Spring Hill