Cost of Living: St. Petersburg, FL vs Meridian, ID (2026)

St. Petersburg

Florida
106
VS

Meridian

Idaho
131

St. Petersburg is 19% cheaper than Meridian.

$1,542/mo ↓ 10%
Median Rent
$1,714/mo ↑ 11%
$73,118/yr ↓ 26%
Median Income
$98,686/yr ↑ 35%
$331,500 ↓ 32%
Home Value
$485,000 ↑ 46%
$1,435/mo ↓ 11%
Owner Costs
$1,607/mo ↑ 12%
260,646
Population
124,865

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.8%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.63%

Affordability

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

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Petersburg, FL and Meridian, ID, the overall cost of living indices are 106 and 131 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $172/month cheaper in St. Petersburg, saving renters about $2,064/year.

Median household income is $25,568/year higher in Meridian. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Petersburg is $331,500 compared to $485,000 in Meridian.

Florida has no state income tax, giving St. Petersburg residents a significant tax advantage over Idaho's 5.8% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Petersburg vs Meridian — common questions

Is St. Petersburg or Meridian cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Petersburg is cheaper to live in with an index of 106 compared to 131 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Petersburg and Meridian?
Median rent in St. Petersburg is $1,542/month and in Meridian it's $1,714/month — a difference of $172/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Petersburg or Meridian?
Median household income is $73,118 in St. Petersburg and $98,686 in Meridian. Median household income is $25,568/year higher in Meridian.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Idaho?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Idaho has 5.8% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.63% property tax.
Should I move to St. Petersburg or Meridian?
It depends on your priorities. St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with median rent of $1,542/mo, while Meridian has a cost index of 131 with rent of $1,714/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Petersburg details → View Meridian details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Petersburg and Meridian

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 Meridian vs. Palm Bay Meridian vs. Vallejo Meridian vs. Allentown Meridian vs. Round Rock Meridian vs. Thousand Oaks Meridian vs. Concord