Cost of Living: St. Petersburg, FL vs McAllen, TX (2026)

St. Petersburg

Florida
106
VS

McAllen

Texas
66

St. Petersburg is 61% more expensive than McAllen.

$1,542/mo ↑ 52%
Median Rent
$1,017/mo ↓ 34%
$73,118/yr ↑ 22%
Median Income
$60,165/yr ↓ 18%
$331,500 ↑ 91%
Home Value
$173,800 ↓ 48%
$1,435/mo ↑ 44%
Owner Costs
$996/mo ↓ 31%
260,646
Population
143,789

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.86%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

25.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Petersburg, FL and McAllen, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 106 and 66 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $525/month cheaper in McAllen, saving renters about $6,300/year.

Median household income is $12,953/year higher in St. Petersburg. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Petersburg is $331,500 compared to $173,800 in McAllen.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Petersburg vs McAllen — common questions

Is St. Petersburg or McAllen cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, McAllen is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Petersburg and McAllen?
Median rent in St. Petersburg is $1,542/month and in McAllen it's $1,017/month — a difference of $525/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Petersburg or McAllen?
Median household income is $73,118 in St. Petersburg and $60,165 in McAllen. Median household income is $12,953/year higher in St. Petersburg.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Texas?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to St. Petersburg or McAllen?
It depends on your priorities. St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with median rent of $1,542/mo, while McAllen has a cost index of 66 with rent of $1,017/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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More Comparisons

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