Cost of Living: St. Petersburg, FL vs Topeka, KS (2026)

St. Petersburg

Florida
106
VS

Topeka

Kansas
58

St. Petersburg is 83% more expensive than Topeka.

$1,542/mo ↑ 63%
Median Rent
$947/mo ↓ 39%
$73,118/yr ↑ 31%
Median Income
$55,902/yr ↓ 24%
$331,500 ↑ 154%
Home Value
$130,600 ↓ 61%
$1,435/mo ↑ 54%
Owner Costs
$930/mo ↓ 35%
260,646
Population
126,103

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.7%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.5%
0.86%
Property Tax
1.41%

Affordability

25.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Petersburg, FL and Topeka, KS, the overall cost of living indices are 106 and 58 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $595/month cheaper in Topeka, saving renters about $7,140/year.

Median household income is $17,216/year higher in St. Petersburg. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Petersburg is $331,500 compared to $130,600 in Topeka.

Florida has no state income tax, giving St. Petersburg residents a significant tax advantage over Kansas's 5.7% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Petersburg vs Topeka — common questions

Is St. Petersburg or Topeka cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Topeka is cheaper to live in with an index of 58 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Petersburg and Topeka?
Median rent in St. Petersburg is $1,542/month and in Topeka it's $947/month — a difference of $595/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Petersburg or Topeka?
Median household income is $73,118 in St. Petersburg and $55,902 in Topeka. Median household income is $17,216/year higher in St. Petersburg.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Kansas?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Kansas has 5.7% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 1.41% property tax.
Should I move to St. Petersburg or Topeka?
It depends on your priorities. St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with median rent of $1,542/mo, while Topeka has a cost index of 58 with rent of $947/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Petersburg details → View Topeka details →

More Comparisons

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