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

St. Petersburg

Florida
106
VS

Richmond

Virginia
98

St. Petersburg is 8% more expensive than Richmond.

$1,542/mo ↑ 17%
Median Rent
$1,314/mo ↓ 15%
$73,118/yr ↑ 17%
Median Income
$62,671/yr ↓ 14%
$331,500 ↑ 1%
Home Value
$328,100 ↓ 1%
$1,435/mo ↑ 4%
Owner Costs
$1,374/mo ↓ 4%
260,646
Population
227,595

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
25.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Petersburg, FL and Richmond, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 106 and 98 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $228/month cheaper in Richmond, saving renters about $2,736/year.

Median household income is $10,447/year higher in St. Petersburg. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Petersburg is $331,500 compared to $328,100 in Richmond.

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 Richmond — common questions

Is St. Petersburg or Richmond cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Richmond is cheaper to live in with an index of 98 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Petersburg and Richmond?
Median rent in St. Petersburg is $1,542/month and in Richmond it's $1,314/month — a difference of $228/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Petersburg or Richmond?
Median household income is $73,118 in St. Petersburg and $62,671 in Richmond. Median household income is $10,447/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 Richmond?
It depends on your priorities. St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with median rent of $1,542/mo, while Richmond has a cost index of 98 with rent of $1,314/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Petersburg details → View Richmond details →

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