Cost of Living: St. Petersburg, FL vs Providence, RI (2026)

St. Petersburg

Florida
106
VS

Providence

Rhode Island
99

St. Petersburg is 7% more expensive than Providence.

$1,542/mo ↑ 16%
Median Rent
$1,333/mo ↓ 14%
$73,118/yr ↑ 10%
Median Income
$66,772/yr ↓ 9%
$331,500 ↑ 3%
Home Value
$322,800 ↓ 3%
$1,435/mo ↓ 2%
Owner Costs
$1,467/mo ↑ 2%
260,646
Population
190,214

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.99%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
7.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
1.53%

Affordability

25.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Petersburg, FL and Providence, RI, the overall cost of living indices are 106 and 99 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $209/month cheaper in Providence, saving renters about $2,508/year.

Median household income is $6,346/year higher in St. Petersburg. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Petersburg is $331,500 compared to $322,800 in Providence.

Florida has no state income tax, giving St. Petersburg residents a significant tax advantage over Rhode Island's 5.99% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Petersburg vs Providence — common questions

Is St. Petersburg or Providence cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Providence is cheaper to live in with an index of 99 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Petersburg and Providence?
Median rent in St. Petersburg is $1,542/month and in Providence it's $1,333/month — a difference of $209/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Petersburg or Providence?
Median household income is $73,118 in St. Petersburg and $66,772 in Providence. Median household income is $6,346/year higher in St. Petersburg.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Rhode Island?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Rhode Island has 5.99% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax.
Should I move to St. Petersburg or Providence?
It depends on your priorities. St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with median rent of $1,542/mo, while Providence has a cost index of 99 with rent of $1,333/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Petersburg details → View Providence details →

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