Cost of Living: St. Petersburg, FL vs Wilmington, NC (2026)

St. Petersburg

Florida
106
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

St. Petersburg is 6% more expensive than Wilmington.

$1,542/mo ↑ 18%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↓ 15%
$73,118/yr ↑ 14%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↓ 13%
$331,500 ↓ 5%
Home Value
$350,300 ↑ 6%
$1,435/mo ↑ 5%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↓ 4%
260,646
Population
118,578

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.5%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

25.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Petersburg, FL and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 106 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $231/month cheaper in Wilmington, saving renters about $2,772/year.

Median household income is $9,218/year higher in St. Petersburg. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Petersburg is $331,500 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

Florida has no state income tax, giving St. Petersburg residents a significant tax advantage over North Carolina's 4.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Petersburg vs Wilmington — common questions

Is St. Petersburg or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Wilmington is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Petersburg and Wilmington?
Median rent in St. Petersburg is $1,542/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $231/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Petersburg or Wilmington?
Median household income is $73,118 in St. Petersburg and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $9,218/year higher in St. Petersburg.
How do taxes compare between Florida and North Carolina?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to St. Petersburg or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with median rent of $1,542/mo, while Wilmington has a cost index of 100 with rent of $1,311/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Petersburg details → View Wilmington details →

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