Cost of Living: St. Petersburg, FL vs Winston-Salem, NC (2026)

St. Petersburg

Florida
106
VS

Winston-Salem

North Carolina
71

St. Petersburg is 49% more expensive than Winston-Salem.

$1,542/mo ↑ 49%
Median Rent
$1,033/mo ↓ 33%
$73,118/yr ↑ 27%
Median Income
$57,673/yr ↓ 21%
$331,500 ↑ 59%
Home Value
$208,200 ↓ 37%
$1,435/mo ↑ 38%
Owner Costs
$1,040/mo ↓ 28%
260,646
Population
250,887

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
21.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Petersburg, FL and Winston-Salem, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 106 and 71 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $509/month cheaper in Winston-Salem, saving renters about $6,108/year.

Median household income is $15,445/year higher in St. Petersburg. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Petersburg is $331,500 compared to $208,200 in Winston-Salem.

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 Winston-Salem — common questions

Is St. Petersburg or Winston-Salem cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Winston-Salem is cheaper to live in with an index of 71 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Petersburg and Winston-Salem?
Median rent in St. Petersburg is $1,542/month and in Winston-Salem it's $1,033/month — a difference of $509/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Petersburg or Winston-Salem?
Median household income is $73,118 in St. Petersburg and $57,673 in Winston-Salem. Median household income is $15,445/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 Winston-Salem?
It depends on your priorities. St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with median rent of $1,542/mo, while Winston-Salem has a cost index of 71 with rent of $1,033/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Petersburg details → View Winston-Salem details →

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