Cost of Living: St. Petersburg, FL vs Palm Bay, FL (2026)

St. Petersburg

Florida
106
VS

Palm Bay

Florida
91

St. Petersburg is 16% more expensive than Palm Bay.

$1,542/mo ↑ 4%
Median Rent
$1,487/mo ↓ 4%
$73,118/yr ↑ 8%
Median Income
$67,521/yr ↓ 8%
$331,500 ↑ 34%
Home Value
$248,000 ↓ 25%
$1,435/mo ↑ 19%
Owner Costs
$1,203/mo ↓ 16%
260,646
Population
125,273

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

25.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Petersburg, FL and Palm Bay, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 106 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $55/month cheaper in Palm Bay, saving renters about $660/year.

Median household income is $5,597/year higher in St. Petersburg. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Petersburg is $331,500 compared to $248,000 in Palm Bay.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in Florida.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Petersburg vs Palm Bay — common questions

Is St. Petersburg or Palm Bay cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Palm Bay is cheaper to live in with an index of 91 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Petersburg and Palm Bay?
Median rent in St. Petersburg is $1,542/month and in Palm Bay it's $1,487/month — a difference of $55/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Petersburg or Palm Bay?
Median household income is $73,118 in St. Petersburg and $67,521 in Palm Bay. Median household income is $5,597/year higher in St. Petersburg.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Florida?
Both cities are in Florida and share the same state tax rates: 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to St. Petersburg or Palm Bay?
It depends on your priorities. St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with median rent of $1,542/mo, while Palm Bay has a cost index of 91 with rent of $1,487/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Petersburg details → View Palm Bay details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Petersburg and Palm Bay

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 Palm Bay vs. Allentown Palm Bay vs. Meridian Palm Bay vs. Thousand Oaks Palm Bay vs. Vallejo Palm Bay vs. Simi Valley Palm Bay vs. Round Rock