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

St. Petersburg

Florida
106
VS

Santa Rosa

California
172

St. Petersburg is 38% cheaper than Santa Rosa.

$1,542/mo ↓ 26%
Median Rent
$2,084/mo ↑ 35%
$73,118/yr ↓ 25%
Median Income
$97,410/yr ↑ 33%
$331,500 ↓ 52%
Home Value
$685,000 ↑ 107%
$1,435/mo ↓ 33%
Owner Costs
$2,130/mo ↑ 48%
260,646
Population
177,216

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
25.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Petersburg, FL and Santa Rosa, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 106 and 172 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $542/month cheaper in St. Petersburg, saving renters about $6,504/year.

Median household income is $24,292/year higher in Santa Rosa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Petersburg is $331,500 compared to $685,000 in Santa Rosa.

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 Santa Rosa — common questions

Is St. Petersburg or Santa Rosa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Petersburg is cheaper to live in with an index of 106 compared to 172 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Petersburg and Santa Rosa?
Median rent in St. Petersburg is $1,542/month and in Santa Rosa it's $2,084/month — a difference of $542/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Petersburg or Santa Rosa?
Median household income is $73,118 in St. Petersburg and $97,410 in Santa Rosa. Median household income is $24,292/year higher in Santa Rosa.
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 Santa Rosa?
It depends on your priorities. St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with median rent of $1,542/mo, while Santa Rosa has a cost index of 172 with rent of $2,084/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Petersburg details → View Santa Rosa details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Petersburg and Santa Rosa

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