Cost of Living: St. Petersburg, FL vs Huntsville, AL (2026)

St. Petersburg

Florida
106
VS

Huntsville

Alabama
78

St. Petersburg is 36% more expensive than Huntsville.

$1,542/mo ↑ 43%
Median Rent
$1,078/mo ↓ 30%
$73,118/yr ↑ 3%
Median Income
$70,778/yr ↓ 3%
$331,500 ↑ 26%
Home Value
$263,100 ↓ 21%
$1,435/mo ↑ 37%
Owner Costs
$1,046/mo ↓ 27%
260,646
Population
218,814

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.0%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.41%

Affordability

25.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
18.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Petersburg, FL and Huntsville, AL, the overall cost of living indices are 106 and 78 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $464/month cheaper in Huntsville, saving renters about $5,568/year.

Median household income is $2,340/year higher in St. Petersburg. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Petersburg is $331,500 compared to $263,100 in Huntsville.

Florida has no state income tax, giving St. Petersburg residents a significant tax advantage over Alabama's 5.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Petersburg vs Huntsville — common questions

Is St. Petersburg or Huntsville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Huntsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 78 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Petersburg and Huntsville?
Median rent in St. Petersburg is $1,542/month and in Huntsville it's $1,078/month — a difference of $464/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Petersburg or Huntsville?
Median household income is $73,118 in St. Petersburg and $70,778 in Huntsville. Median household income is $2,340/year higher in St. Petersburg.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Alabama?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Alabama has 5.0% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.41% property tax.
Should I move to St. Petersburg or Huntsville?
It depends on your priorities. St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with median rent of $1,542/mo, while Huntsville has a cost index of 78 with rent of $1,078/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Petersburg details → View Huntsville details →

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