Cost of Living: St. Petersburg, FL vs Fayetteville, NC (2026)

St. Petersburg

Florida
106
VS

Fayetteville

North Carolina
73

St. Petersburg is 45% more expensive than Fayetteville.

$1,542/mo ↑ 31%
Median Rent
$1,179/mo ↓ 24%
$73,118/yr ↑ 30%
Median Income
$56,395/yr ↓ 23%
$331,500 ↑ 93%
Home Value
$171,900 ↓ 48%
$1,435/mo ↑ 24%
Owner Costs
$1,156/mo ↓ 19%
260,646
Population
209,692

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.5%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

25.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Petersburg, FL and Fayetteville, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 106 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $363/month cheaper in Fayetteville, saving renters about $4,356/year.

Median household income is $16,723/year higher in St. Petersburg. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Petersburg is $331,500 compared to $171,900 in Fayetteville.

Florida has no state income tax, giving St. Petersburg residents a significant tax advantage over North Carolina's 4.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Petersburg vs Fayetteville — common questions

Is St. Petersburg or Fayetteville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fayetteville is cheaper to live in with an index of 73 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Petersburg and Fayetteville?
Median rent in St. Petersburg is $1,542/month and in Fayetteville it's $1,179/month — a difference of $363/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Petersburg or Fayetteville?
Median household income is $73,118 in St. Petersburg and $56,395 in Fayetteville. Median household income is $16,723/year higher in St. Petersburg.
How do taxes compare between Florida and North Carolina?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to St. Petersburg or Fayetteville?
It depends on your priorities. St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with median rent of $1,542/mo, while Fayetteville has a cost index of 73 with rent of $1,179/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Petersburg details → View Fayetteville details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Petersburg and Fayetteville

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 Fayetteville vs. Rochester Fayetteville vs. Yonkers Fayetteville vs. Frisco Fayetteville vs. Cape Coral Fayetteville vs. Moreno Valley Fayetteville vs. Worcester