Cost of Living: St. Petersburg, FL vs Fort Lauderdale, FL (2026)

St. Petersburg

Florida
106
VS

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132

St. Petersburg is 20% cheaper than Fort Lauderdale.

$1,542/mo ↓ 13%
Median Rent
$1,776/mo ↑ 15%
$73,118/yr ↓ 9%
Median Income
$79,935/yr ↑ 9%
$331,500 ↓ 27%
Home Value
$455,600 ↑ 37%
$1,435/mo ↓ 19%
Owner Costs
$1,778/mo ↑ 24%
260,646
Population
183,032

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

25.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Petersburg, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 106 and 132 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $234/month cheaper in St. Petersburg, saving renters about $2,808/year.

Median household income is $6,817/year higher in Fort Lauderdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Petersburg is $331,500 compared to $455,600 in Fort Lauderdale.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in Florida.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Petersburg vs Fort Lauderdale — common questions

Is St. Petersburg or Fort Lauderdale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Petersburg is cheaper to live in with an index of 106 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Petersburg and Fort Lauderdale?
Median rent in St. Petersburg is $1,542/month and in Fort Lauderdale it's $1,776/month — a difference of $234/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Petersburg or Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income is $73,118 in St. Petersburg and $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale. Median household income is $6,817/year higher in Fort Lauderdale.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Florida?
Both cities are in Florida and share the same state tax rates: 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to St. Petersburg or Fort Lauderdale?
It depends on your priorities. St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with median rent of $1,542/mo, while Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with rent of $1,776/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Petersburg details → View Fort Lauderdale details →

More Comparisons

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