Cost of Living: St. Petersburg, FL vs Jackson, MS (2026)

St. Petersburg

Florida
106
VS

Jackson

Mississippi
58

St. Petersburg is 83% more expensive than Jackson.

$1,542/mo ↑ 51%
Median Rent
$1,018/mo ↓ 34%
$73,118/yr ↑ 69%
Median Income
$43,238/yr ↓ 41%
$331,500 ↑ 206%
Home Value
$108,200 ↓ 67%
$1,435/mo ↑ 50%
Owner Costs
$956/mo ↓ 33%
260,646
Population
149,827

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.0%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
7.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.67%

Affordability

25.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Petersburg, FL and Jackson, MS, the overall cost of living indices are 106 and 58 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $524/month cheaper in Jackson, saving renters about $6,288/year.

Median household income is $29,880/year higher in St. Petersburg. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Petersburg is $331,500 compared to $108,200 in Jackson.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Petersburg vs Jackson — common questions

Is St. Petersburg or Jackson cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Jackson is cheaper to live in with an index of 58 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Petersburg and Jackson?
Median rent in St. Petersburg is $1,542/month and in Jackson it's $1,018/month — a difference of $524/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Petersburg or Jackson?
Median household income is $73,118 in St. Petersburg and $43,238 in Jackson. Median household income is $29,880/year higher in St. Petersburg.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Mississippi?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Mississippi has 5.0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.67% property tax.
Should I move to St. Petersburg or Jackson?
It depends on your priorities. St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with median rent of $1,542/mo, while Jackson has a cost index of 58 with rent of $1,018/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Petersburg details → View Jackson details →

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