Cost of Living: St. Petersburg, FL vs Norfolk, VA (2026)

St. Petersburg

Florida
106
VS

Norfolk

Virginia
89

St. Petersburg is 19% more expensive than Norfolk.

$1,542/mo ↑ 24%
Median Rent
$1,246/mo ↓ 19%
$73,118/yr ↑ 14%
Median Income
$64,017/yr ↓ 12%
$331,500 ↑ 22%
Home Value
$271,900 ↓ 18%
$1,435/mo ↑ 5%
Owner Costs
$1,366/mo ↓ 5%
260,646
Population
235,037

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.75%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
5.3%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

25.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Petersburg, FL and Norfolk, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 106 and 89 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $296/month cheaper in Norfolk, saving renters about $3,552/year.

Median household income is $9,101/year higher in St. Petersburg. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Petersburg is $331,500 compared to $271,900 in Norfolk.

Florida has no state income tax, giving St. Petersburg residents a significant tax advantage over Virginia's 5.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Petersburg vs Norfolk — common questions

Is St. Petersburg or Norfolk cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Norfolk is cheaper to live in with an index of 89 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Petersburg and Norfolk?
Median rent in St. Petersburg is $1,542/month and in Norfolk it's $1,246/month — a difference of $296/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Petersburg or Norfolk?
Median household income is $73,118 in St. Petersburg and $64,017 in Norfolk. Median household income is $9,101/year higher in St. Petersburg.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Virginia?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to St. Petersburg or Norfolk?
It depends on your priorities. St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with median rent of $1,542/mo, while Norfolk has a cost index of 89 with rent of $1,246/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Petersburg details → View Norfolk details →

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