Cost of Living: St. Petersburg, FL vs Mobile, AL (2026)

St. Petersburg

Florida
106
VS

Mobile

Alabama
66

St. Petersburg is 61% more expensive than Mobile.

$1,542/mo ↑ 50%
Median Rent
$1,029/mo ↓ 33%
$73,118/yr ↑ 43%
Median Income
$51,090/yr ↓ 30%
$331,500 ↑ 95%
Home Value
$170,300 ↓ 49%
$1,435/mo ↑ 41%
Owner Costs
$1,016/mo ↓ 29%
260,646
Population
185,097

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.0%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.41%

Affordability

25.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Petersburg, FL and Mobile, AL, the overall cost of living indices are 106 and 66 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $513/month cheaper in Mobile, saving renters about $6,156/year.

Median household income is $22,028/year higher in St. Petersburg. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Petersburg is $331,500 compared to $170,300 in Mobile.

Florida has no state income tax, giving St. Petersburg residents a significant tax advantage over Alabama's 5.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Petersburg vs Mobile — common questions

Is St. Petersburg or Mobile cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Mobile 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 Mobile?
Median rent in St. Petersburg is $1,542/month and in Mobile it's $1,029/month — a difference of $513/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Petersburg or Mobile?
Median household income is $73,118 in St. Petersburg and $51,090 in Mobile. Median household income is $22,028/year higher in St. Petersburg.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Alabama?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Alabama has 5.0% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.41% property tax.
Should I move to St. Petersburg or Mobile?
It depends on your priorities. St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with median rent of $1,542/mo, while Mobile has a cost index of 66 with rent of $1,029/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Petersburg details → View Mobile details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Petersburg and Mobile

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 Mobile vs. Paradise Mobile vs. Newport News Mobile vs. Tempe Mobile vs. Shreveport Mobile vs. Brownsville Mobile vs. Fort Lauderdale