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

St. Petersburg

Florida
106
VS

Ontario

California
152

St. Petersburg is 30% cheaper than Ontario.

$1,542/mo ↓ 20%
Median Rent
$1,916/mo ↑ 24%
$73,118/yr ↓ 12%
Median Income
$82,806/yr ↑ 13%
$331,500 ↓ 42%
Home Value
$568,000 ↑ 71%
$1,435/mo ↓ 27%
Owner Costs
$1,967/mo ↑ 37%
260,646
Population
178,347

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
27.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Petersburg, FL and Ontario, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 106 and 152 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $374/month cheaper in St. Petersburg, saving renters about $4,488/year.

Median household income is $9,688/year higher in Ontario. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Petersburg is $331,500 compared to $568,000 in Ontario.

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 Ontario — common questions

Is St. Petersburg or Ontario cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Petersburg is cheaper to live in with an index of 106 compared to 152 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Petersburg and Ontario?
Median rent in St. Petersburg is $1,542/month and in Ontario it's $1,916/month — a difference of $374/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Petersburg or Ontario?
Median household income is $73,118 in St. Petersburg and $82,806 in Ontario. Median household income is $9,688/year higher in Ontario.
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 Ontario?
It depends on your priorities. St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with median rent of $1,542/mo, while Ontario has a cost index of 152 with rent of $1,916/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Petersburg details → View Ontario details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Petersburg and Ontario

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 Ontario vs. Aurora Ontario vs. Eugene Ontario vs. Chattanooga Ontario vs. Elk Grove Ontario vs. Fort Lauderdale Ontario vs. Santa Rosa