Is St. Petersburg, FL cheaper than Durham, NC?

Based on cost of living data, St. Petersburg, FL is 6.2% more expensive than Durham, NC. This translates to spending an extra $464 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Petersburg, FL to live like I do in Durham, NC?

If you earn $150,000 in Durham, NC, you'd need approximately $155,567.01 in St. Petersburg, FL to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Durham, NC and St. Petersburg, FL?

Housing in St. Petersburg, FL is 9.5% more expensive than in Durham, NC. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,040/month in St. Petersburg, FL compared to $1,730/month in Durham, NC.

How much can I save per month by moving from Durham, NC to St. Petersburg, FL?

Living in St. Petersburg, FL costs approximately $464 more per month than Durham, NC, or $5567 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Durham, NC 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 Durham, NC

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $464/month more in St. Petersburg, FL

$150.0K in your current city equals $155.6K in St. Petersburg, FL

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Raleigh-Cary, NC area

Overall Cost

↑ 6.2%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$464

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$5.6K

Per year

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

Durham, NC

Population:325K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$411K

St. Petersburg, FL

Population:264K

Cost Index:

106

(6% above avg)

Median Home:$333K

Durham, NC

The Tar Heel State

325K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in North Carolina, this city has a population of 325K 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: Durham, NC vs St. Petersburg, FL

Category	Durham, NC	St. Petersburg, FL	Difference	Change
Housing	$2,469/mo	$2,703/mo	↑ $234more	9.5%
Other	$1,707/mo	$1,808/mo	↑ $100more	5.9%
Groceries	$959/mo	$1,019/mo	↑ $59.96more	6.3%
Healthcare	$601/mo	$570/mo	↓ $30.98less	5.2%
All Utilities	$546/mo	$574/mo	↑ $27.32more	5.0%
Transportation	$1,284/mo	$1,284/mo	→ $0	0.0%

Housing

↑ 9.5%

Durham, NC

$2,469

St. Petersburg, FL

$2,703

Difference

$234

Other

↑ 5.9%

Durham, NC

$1,707

St. Petersburg, FL

$1,808

Difference

$100

Groceries

↑ 6.3%

Durham, NC

$959

St. Petersburg, FL

$1,019

Difference

$59.96

Healthcare

↓ 5.2%

Durham, NC

$601

St. Petersburg, FL

$570

Difference

$30.98

less

All Utilities

↑ 5.0%

Durham, NC

$546

St. Petersburg, FL

$574

Difference

$27.32

Transportation

→ 0.0%

Durham, NC

$1,284

St. Petersburg, FL

$1,284

Difference

same

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,430

To$1,640

↑ $210

1 Bed

From$1,520

To$1,750

↑ $230

2 Bed

From$1,730

To$2,040

↑ $310

3 Bed

From$2,140

To$2,610

↑ $470

Durham, NCZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,480–$1,750/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.

$7,567

Monthly in Durham, NC

$7,958

Monthly in St. Petersburg, FL

$391

Difference

Home Values

Durham

St. Petersburg

$411K

Median Value

$333K

↓ -0.5%

YoY Change

↓ -7.3%

↑ +38%

5-Year Change

↑ +29%

$306K - $461K

Price Range

$162K - $712K

Homes in St. Petersburg are 19% less expensive than Durham

Calculate payment - Durham Calculate payment - St. Petersburg

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $7.1K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$594

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

4.7%

Rate difference

Durham, NC

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

North Carolina State Tax

Effective: 4.8%

$7.1K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.4%

$44.1K

Take-Home Pay

$8,822/month

$105.9K

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

Durham, NC Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.1%

Property Tax:0.8%

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.