Is St. Petersburg, FL cheaper than Baton Rouge, LA?

Based on cost of living data, St. Petersburg, FL is 13.2% more expensive than Baton Rouge, LA. This translates to spending an extra $989 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Petersburg, FL to live like I do in Baton Rouge, LA?

If you earn $150,000 in Baton Rouge, LA, you'd need approximately $161,868.132 in St. Petersburg, FL to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Baton Rouge, LA and St. Petersburg, FL?

Housing in St. Petersburg, FL is 26.8% more expensive than in Baton Rouge, LA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,040/month in St. Petersburg, FL compared to $1,275/month in Baton Rouge, LA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Baton Rouge, LA to St. Petersburg, FL?

Living in St. Petersburg, FL costs approximately $989 more per month than Baton Rouge, LA, or $11868 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Baton Rouge, LA vs St. Petersburg, FL: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in Baton Rouge, LA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $989/month more in St. Petersburg, FL

$150.0K in your current city equals $161.9K in St. Petersburg, FL

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Baton Rouge, LA area

Overall Cost

↑ 13.2%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$989

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$11.9K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Baton Rouge, LA

Population:227K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$234K

St. Petersburg, FL

Population:264K

Cost Index:

113

(13% above avg)

Median Home:$333K

Baton Rouge, LA

The Pelican State

227K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Louisiana, this city has a population of 227K residents.

St. Petersburg, FL

The Sunshine State

264K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Located in Florida, this city has a population of 264K residents.

💡 Advantage: Florida has no state income tax!

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Baton Rouge, LA vs St. Petersburg, FL

Category	Baton Rouge, LA	St. Petersburg, FL	Difference	Change
Housing	$2,131/mo	$2,703/mo	↑ $572more	26.8%
Healthcare	$471/mo	$570/mo	↑ $99.13more	21.1%
All Utilities	$486/mo	$574/mo	↑ $87.43more	18.0%
Other	$1,758/mo	$1,808/mo	↑ $50.22more	2.9%
Groceries	$969/mo	$1,019/mo	↑ $49.96more	5.2%
Transportation	$1,243/mo	$1,284/mo	↑ $40.98more	3.3%

Housing

↑ 26.8%

Baton Rouge, LA

$2,131

St. Petersburg, FL

$2,703

Difference

$572

Healthcare

↑ 21.1%

Baton Rouge, LA

$471

St. Petersburg, FL

$570

Difference

$99.13

All Utilities

↑ 18.0%

Baton Rouge, LA

$486

St. Petersburg, FL

$574

Difference

$87.43

Other

↑ 2.9%

Baton Rouge, LA

$1,758

St. Petersburg, FL

$1,808

Difference

$50.22

Groceries

↑ 5.2%

Baton Rouge, LA

$969

St. Petersburg, FL

$1,019

Difference

$49.96

Transportation

↑ 3.3%

Baton Rouge, LA

$1,243

St. Petersburg, FL

$1,284

Difference

$40.98

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,090

To$1,640

↑ $550

1 Bed

From$1,125

To$1,750

↑ $625

2 Bed

From$1,275

To$2,040

↑ $765

3 Bed

From$1,600

To$2,610

↑ $1,010

Baton Rouge, LAZIP-level data

1BR range: $980–$1,600/mo

St. Petersburg, FLZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,420–$2,500/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,058

Monthly in Baton Rouge, LA

$7,958

Monthly in St. Petersburg, FL

$899

Difference

Home Values

Baton Rouge

St. Petersburg

$234K

Median Value

$333K

↓ -1.9%

YoY Change

↓ -7.3%

↑ +15.3%

5-Year Change

↑ +29%

$64K - $344K

Price Range

$162K - $712K

Homes in St. Petersburg are 42% more expensive than Baton Rouge

Calculate payment - Baton Rouge Calculate payment - St. Petersburg

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $7.8K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$646

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

5.2%

Rate difference

Baton Rouge, LA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Louisiana State Tax

Effective: 5.2%

$7.8K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.8%

$44.8K

Take-Home Pay

$8,770/month

$105.2K

St. Petersburg, FL

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Florida State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

Additional Tax Information

Baton Rouge, LA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.6%

Property Tax:0.5%

St. Petersburg, FL Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.2%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.