Cost of Living: St. Petersburg, FL vs Modesto, CA (2026)

St. Petersburg

Florida
106
VS

Modesto

California
120

St. Petersburg is 12% cheaper than Modesto.

$1,542/mo ↓ 4%
Median Rent
$1,609/mo ↑ 4%
$73,118/yr ↓ 6%
Median Income
$77,899/yr ↑ 7%
$331,500 ↓ 20%
Home Value
$415,600 ↑ 25%
$1,435/mo ↓ 11%
Owner Costs
$1,613/mo ↑ 12%
260,646
Population
218,614

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

25.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Petersburg, FL and Modesto, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 106 and 120 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $67/month cheaper in St. Petersburg, saving renters about $804/year.

Median household income is $4,781/year higher in Modesto. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Petersburg is $331,500 compared to $415,600 in Modesto.

Florida has no state income tax, giving St. Petersburg residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Petersburg vs Modesto — common questions

Is St. Petersburg or Modesto cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Petersburg is cheaper to live in with an index of 106 compared to 120 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Petersburg and Modesto?
Median rent in St. Petersburg is $1,542/month and in Modesto it's $1,609/month — a difference of $67/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Petersburg or Modesto?
Median household income is $73,118 in St. Petersburg and $77,899 in Modesto. Median household income is $4,781/year higher in Modesto.
How do taxes compare between Florida and California?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to St. Petersburg or Modesto?
It depends on your priorities. St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with median rent of $1,542/mo, while Modesto has a cost index of 120 with rent of $1,609/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Petersburg details → View Modesto details →

More Comparisons

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