Cost of Living: St. Petersburg, FL vs Lafayette, LA (2026)

St. Petersburg

Florida
106
VS

Lafayette

Louisiana
77

St. Petersburg is 38% more expensive than Lafayette.

$1,542/mo ↑ 45%
Median Rent
$1,065/mo ↓ 31%
$73,118/yr ↑ 19%
Median Income
$61,454/yr ↓ 16%
$331,500 ↑ 32%
Home Value
$251,300 ↓ 24%
$1,435/mo ↑ 36%
Owner Costs
$1,057/mo ↓ 26%
260,646
Population
121,537

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.25%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.45%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.55%

Affordability

25.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Petersburg, FL and Lafayette, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 106 and 77 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $477/month cheaper in Lafayette, saving renters about $5,724/year.

Median household income is $11,664/year higher in St. Petersburg. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Petersburg is $331,500 compared to $251,300 in Lafayette.

Florida has no state income tax, giving St. Petersburg residents a significant tax advantage over Louisiana's 4.25% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Petersburg vs Lafayette — common questions

Is St. Petersburg or Lafayette cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lafayette is cheaper to live in with an index of 77 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Petersburg and Lafayette?
Median rent in St. Petersburg is $1,542/month and in Lafayette it's $1,065/month — a difference of $477/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Petersburg or Lafayette?
Median household income is $73,118 in St. Petersburg and $61,454 in Lafayette. Median household income is $11,664/year higher in St. Petersburg.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Louisiana?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax.
Should I move to St. Petersburg or Lafayette?
It depends on your priorities. St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with median rent of $1,542/mo, while Lafayette has a cost index of 77 with rent of $1,065/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Petersburg details → View Lafayette details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Petersburg and Lafayette

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 Lafayette vs. Rochester Lafayette vs. Ann Arbor Lafayette vs. Independence Lafayette vs. Berkeley Lafayette vs. College Station Lafayette vs. Fairfield