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

St. Petersburg

Florida
106
VS

Montgomery

Alabama
64

St. Petersburg is 66% more expensive than Montgomery.

$1,542/mo ↑ 46%
Median Rent
$1,059/mo ↓ 31%
$73,118/yr ↑ 31%
Median Income
$55,687/yr ↓ 24%
$331,500 ↑ 123%
Home Value
$148,500 ↓ 55%
$1,435/mo ↑ 40%
Owner Costs
$1,023/mo ↓ 29%
260,646
Population
198,440

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
22.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Petersburg, FL and Montgomery, AL, the overall cost of living indices are 106 and 64 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $483/month cheaper in Montgomery, saving renters about $5,796/year.

Median household income is $17,431/year higher in St. Petersburg. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Petersburg is $331,500 compared to $148,500 in Montgomery.

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 Montgomery — common questions

Is St. Petersburg or Montgomery cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Montgomery is cheaper to live in with an index of 64 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Petersburg and Montgomery?
Median rent in St. Petersburg is $1,542/month and in Montgomery it's $1,059/month — a difference of $483/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Petersburg or Montgomery?
Median household income is $73,118 in St. Petersburg and $55,687 in Montgomery. Median household income is $17,431/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 Montgomery?
It depends on your priorities. St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with median rent of $1,542/mo, while Montgomery has a cost index of 64 with rent of $1,059/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Petersburg details → View Montgomery details →

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