Cost of Living: St. Petersburg, FL vs Macon, GA (2026)

St. Petersburg

Florida
106
VS

Macon

Georgia
65

St. Petersburg is 63% more expensive than Macon.

$1,542/mo ↑ 50%
Median Rent
$1,026/mo ↓ 33%
$73,118/yr ↑ 44%
Median Income
$50,747/yr ↓ 31%
$331,500 ↑ 100%
Home Value
$165,800 ↓ 50%
$1,435/mo ↑ 41%
Owner Costs
$1,016/mo ↓ 29%
260,646
Population
156,543

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.49%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.92%

Affordability

25.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Petersburg, FL and Macon, GA, the overall cost of living indices are 106 and 65 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $516/month cheaper in Macon, saving renters about $6,192/year.

Median household income is $22,371/year higher in St. Petersburg. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Petersburg is $331,500 compared to $165,800 in Macon.

Florida has no state income tax, giving St. Petersburg residents a significant tax advantage over Georgia's 5.49% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Petersburg vs Macon — common questions

Is St. Petersburg or Macon cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Macon is cheaper to live in with an index of 65 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Petersburg and Macon?
Median rent in St. Petersburg is $1,542/month and in Macon it's $1,026/month — a difference of $516/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Petersburg or Macon?
Median household income is $73,118 in St. Petersburg and $50,747 in Macon. Median household income is $22,371/year higher in St. Petersburg.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Georgia?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Georgia has 5.49% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax.
Should I move to St. Petersburg or Macon?
It depends on your priorities. St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with median rent of $1,542/mo, while Macon has a cost index of 65 with rent of $1,026/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Petersburg details → View Macon details →

More Comparisons

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