Cost of Living: St. Petersburg, FL vs Lowell, MA (2026)

St. Petersburg

Florida
106
VS

Lowell

Massachusetts
119

St. Petersburg is 11% cheaper than Lowell.

$1,542/mo ↓ 4%
Median Rent
$1,603/mo ↑ 4%
$73,118/yr ↓ 4%
Median Income
$76,205/yr ↑ 4%
$331,500 ↓ 16%
Home Value
$395,100 ↑ 19%
$1,435/mo ↓ 14%
Owner Costs
$1,672/mo ↑ 17%
260,646
Population
114,799

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
9.0%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.86%
Property Tax
1.15%

Affordability

25.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Petersburg, FL and Lowell, MA, the overall cost of living indices are 106 and 119 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $61/month cheaper in St. Petersburg, saving renters about $732/year.

Median household income is $3,087/year higher in Lowell. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Petersburg is $331,500 compared to $395,100 in Lowell.

Florida has no state income tax, giving St. Petersburg residents a significant tax advantage over Massachusetts's 9.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Petersburg vs Lowell — common questions

Is St. Petersburg or Lowell cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Petersburg is cheaper to live in with an index of 106 compared to 119 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Petersburg and Lowell?
Median rent in St. Petersburg is $1,542/month and in Lowell it's $1,603/month — a difference of $61/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Petersburg or Lowell?
Median household income is $73,118 in St. Petersburg and $76,205 in Lowell. Median household income is $3,087/year higher in Lowell.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Massachusetts?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Massachusetts has 9.0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.15% property tax.
Should I move to St. Petersburg or Lowell?
It depends on your priorities. St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with median rent of $1,542/mo, while Lowell has a cost index of 119 with rent of $1,603/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Petersburg details → View Lowell details →

More Comparisons

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