Cost of Living: St. Petersburg, FL vs Tempe, AZ (2026)

St. Petersburg

Florida
106
VS

Tempe

Arizona
120

St. Petersburg is 12% cheaper than Tempe.

$1,542/mo ↓ 5%
Median Rent
$1,623/mo ↑ 5%
$73,118/yr ↓ 6%
Median Income
$77,643/yr ↑ 6%
$331,500 ↓ 21%
Home Value
$421,900 ↑ 27%
$1,435/mo ↓ 8%
Owner Costs
$1,554/mo ↑ 8%
260,646
Population
186,419

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
2.5%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
5.6%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.62%

Affordability

25.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Petersburg, FL and Tempe, AZ, the overall cost of living indices are 106 and 120 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $81/month cheaper in St. Petersburg, saving renters about $972/year.

Median household income is $4,525/year higher in Tempe. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Petersburg is $331,500 compared to $421,900 in Tempe.

Florida has no state income tax, giving St. Petersburg residents a significant tax advantage over Arizona's 2.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Petersburg vs Tempe — common questions

Is St. Petersburg or Tempe cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Petersburg is cheaper to live in with an index of 106 compared to 120 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Petersburg and Tempe?
Median rent in St. Petersburg is $1,542/month and in Tempe it's $1,623/month — a difference of $81/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Petersburg or Tempe?
Median household income is $73,118 in St. Petersburg and $77,643 in Tempe. Median household income is $4,525/year higher in Tempe.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Arizona?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Arizona has 2.5% income tax, 5.6% sales tax, and 0.62% property tax.
Should I move to St. Petersburg or Tempe?
It depends on your priorities. St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with median rent of $1,542/mo, while Tempe has a cost index of 120 with rent of $1,623/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Petersburg details → View Tempe details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Petersburg and Tempe

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 Tempe vs. Brownsville Tempe vs. Paradise Tempe vs. Akron Tempe vs. Mobile Tempe vs. Providence Tempe vs. Newport News