Is St. Petersburg, FL cheaper than New Orleans, LA?

Based on cost of living data, St. Petersburg, FL is 7.3% more expensive than New Orleans, LA. This translates to spending an extra $547 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in New Orleans, LA, you'd need approximately $156,562.5 in St. Petersburg, FL to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between New Orleans, LA and St. Petersburg, FL?

Housing in St. Petersburg, FL is 13.0% more expensive than in New Orleans, LA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,040/month in St. Petersburg, FL compared to $1,375/month in New Orleans, LA.

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

Living in St. Petersburg, FL costs approximately $547 more per month than New Orleans, LA, or $6563 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

New Orleans, 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 New Orleans, LA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $547/month more in St. Petersburg, FL

$150.0K in your current city equals $156.6K in St. Petersburg, FL

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from New Orleans-Metairie, LA area

Overall Cost

↑ 7.3%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$547

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$6.6K

Per year

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

New Orleans, LA

Population:384K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$223K

St. Petersburg, FL

Population:264K

Cost Index:

107

(7% above avg)

Median Home:$333K

New Orleans, LA

The Pelican State

384K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Louisiana, this city has a population of 384K 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: New Orleans, LA vs St. Petersburg, FL

Category	New Orleans, LA	St. Petersburg, FL	Difference	Change
Housing	$2,391/mo	$2,703/mo	↑ $312more	13.0%
Healthcare	$471/mo	$570/mo	↑ $99.13more	21.1%
All Utilities	$486/mo	$574/mo	↑ $87.43more	18.0%
Other	$1,892/mo	$1,808/mo	↓ $83.70less	4.4%
Groceries	$969/mo	$1,019/mo	↑ $49.96more	5.2%
Transportation	$1,243/mo	$1,284/mo	↑ $40.98more	3.3%

Housing

↑ 13.0%

New Orleans, LA

$2,391

St. Petersburg, FL

$2,703

Difference

$312

Healthcare

↑ 21.1%

New Orleans, LA

$471

St. Petersburg, FL

$570

Difference

$99.13

All Utilities

↑ 18.0%

New Orleans, LA

$486

St. Petersburg, FL

$574

Difference

$87.43

Other

↓ 4.4%

New Orleans, LA

$1,892

St. Petersburg, FL

$1,808

Difference

$83.70

less

Groceries

↑ 5.2%

New Orleans, LA

$969

St. Petersburg, FL

$1,019

Difference

$49.96

Transportation

↑ 3.3%

New Orleans, LA

$1,243

St. Petersburg, FL

$1,284

Difference

$40.98

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,010

To$1,640

↑ $630

1 Bed

From$1,145

To$1,750

↑ $605

2 Bed

From$1,375

To$2,040

↑ $665

3 Bed

From$1,745

To$2,610

↑ $865

New Orleans, LAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,120–$1,680/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.

$7,452

Monthly in New Orleans, LA

$7,958

Monthly in St. Petersburg, FL

$506

Difference

Home Values

New Orleans

St. Petersburg

$223K

Median Value

$333K

↓ -3.5%

YoY Change

↓ -7.3%

↓ -7.8%

5-Year Change

↑ +29%

$146K - $508K

Price Range

$162K - $712K

Homes in St. Petersburg are 50% more expensive than New Orleans

Calculate payment - New Orleans 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

New Orleans, 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

New Orleans, 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.