Cost of Living: St. Petersburg, FL vs Worcester, MA (2026)

St. Petersburg

Florida
106
VS

Worcester

Massachusetts
104

St. Petersburg and Worcester have a similar cost of living.

$1,542/mo ↑ 9%
Median Rent
$1,415/mo ↓ 8%
$73,118/yr ↑ 8%
Median Income
$67,544/yr ↓ 8%
$331,500 ↓ 2%
Home Value
$339,500 ↑ 2%
$1,435/mo ↓ 6%
Owner Costs
$1,521/mo ↑ 6%
260,646
Population
205,501

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
9.0%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.86%
Property Tax
1.15%

Affordability

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

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Petersburg, FL and Worcester, MA, the overall cost of living indices are 106 and 104 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $127/month cheaper in Worcester, saving renters about $1,524/year.

Median household income is $5,574/year higher in St. Petersburg. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Petersburg is $331,500 compared to $339,500 in Worcester.

Florida has no state income tax, giving St. Petersburg residents a significant tax advantage over Massachusetts's 9.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Petersburg vs Worcester — common questions

Is St. Petersburg or Worcester cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Worcester is cheaper to live in with an index of 104 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Petersburg and Worcester?
Median rent in St. Petersburg is $1,542/month and in Worcester it's $1,415/month — a difference of $127/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Petersburg or Worcester?
Median household income is $73,118 in St. Petersburg and $67,544 in Worcester. Median household income is $5,574/year higher in St. Petersburg.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Massachusetts?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Massachusetts has 9.0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.15% property tax.
Should I move to St. Petersburg or Worcester?
It depends on your priorities. St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with median rent of $1,542/mo, while Worcester has a cost index of 104 with rent of $1,415/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Petersburg details → View Worcester details →

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