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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

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You'd save $728/month moving to Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY

$150.0K in your current city equals $141.3K in Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates Β· COL index from Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL area
Overall Cost
↓ 9.7%
Less expensive
Monthly Impact
$728
Savings
Annual Impact
$8.7K
Per year

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

St. Petersburg, FL

Population:264K
Cost Index:
100
100 = national average
Median Home:$333K

Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY

Population:320K
Cost Index:
90
(10% below avg)
Median Home:$345K

St. Petersburg, FL

The Sunshine State

264K
Population
State Tax
No Income Tax

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

πŸ’‘ Advantage: Florida has no state income tax!

Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY

The Bluegrass State

320K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Kentucky, this city has a population of 320K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: St. Petersburg, FL vs Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY

Housing
↓ 13.5%
St. Petersburg, FL
$2,703
Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY
$2,339
Difference
$364
less
Other
↓ 9.3%
St. Petersburg, FL
$1,808
Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY
$1,641
Difference
$167
less
All Utilities
↓ 19.0%
St. Petersburg, FL
$574
Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY
$464
Difference
$109
less
Transportation
↓ 5.3%
St. Petersburg, FL
$1,284
Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY
$1,216
Difference
$68.30
less
Groceries
↓ 5.9%
St. Petersburg, FL
$1,019
Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY
$959
Difference
$59.96
less
Healthcare
↓ 3.3%
St. Petersburg, FL
$570
Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY
$551
Difference
$18.59
less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio
From$1,640
To$720
↓ $920
1 Bed
From$1,750
To$820
↓ $930
2 Bed
From$2,040
To$1,000
↓ $1,040
3 Bed
From$2,610
To$1,350
↓ $1,260
St. Petersburg, FLZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,420–$2,500/mo

πŸ’‘ 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.

$7,958
Monthly in St. Petersburg, FL
$7,170
Monthly in Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY
$787
Difference

Home Values

St. Petersburg
Lexington-Fayette urban county
$333K
Median Value
-
↓ -7.3%
YoY Change
-
↑ +29%
5-Year Change
-
$162K - $712K
Price Range
-

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
↓ $7.5K
More taxes
Monthly Difference
$625
Less take-home
Effective Rate Diff
5.0%
Rate difference

St. Petersburg, FL

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Florida State Tax
No state income tax
$0
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 24.7%
$37.0K
Take-Home Pay
$9,416/month
$113.0K

Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Kentucky State Tax
Effective: 5.0%
$7.5K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 29.7%
$44.5K
Take-Home Pay
$8,791/month
$105.5K

Additional Tax Information

St. Petersburg, FL Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.2%
Property Tax:0.8%

Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.0%
Property Tax:0.9%

πŸ’‘ 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.

Environment

St. Petersburg
Lexington-Fayette urban county
50 Good
Air Quality
41 Good
52.5%
Good Air Days
79.2%
99 High
Climate Risk
92 Moderate
πŸŒŠπŸŒ…πŸŒ€
Top Hazards
πŸŒͺπŸ’¨
β–²+2.2Β°F
2050 Outlook
β–²+3.0Β°F
38 days
Heat Days >95Β°F
21 days
β–²+2.2Β°F
2050 Outlook
β–²+3.0Β°F
38 days
Heat Days >95Β°F
21 days

What to Consider When Moving from St. Petersburg, FL to Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY

Relocating from St. Petersburg, FL to Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY involves more than just comparing rent prices. While the overall cost of living is about 10% lower in Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY, your actual experience will depend on your lifestyle, job situation, and priorities. Here are the key factors to weigh before making the move.

Housing & Rent

Housing is typically the largest line item in any budget, and it’s where the biggest differences show up between cities. In this comparison, housing in Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY is 13% cheaper than in St. Petersburg, FL. Keep in mind that neighborhood choice within a city can swing rent by 30–50%, so research specific areas β€” not just city averages β€” before signing a lease. If you’re buying, factor in property tax rates, which vary significantly by county and state.

Job Market & Salary Adjustments

A lower cost of living doesn’t help if your salary drops proportionally. Before committing to a move, research whether employers in Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY pay comparable wages for your role. Remote workers may keep their current salary, but some companies adjust pay based on location. Use the salary calculator above to see what you’d need to earn in Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY to match your current standard of living in St. Petersburg, FL.

Taxes & Take-Home Pay

State income tax, property tax, and sales tax all affect how far your paycheck stretches. Some states have no income tax but make up for it with higher property or sales taxes. The tax comparison section above breaks down how your take-home pay would change. Don’t forget about vehicle registration fees, tolls, and other state-specific costs that add up over a year.

Quality of Life & Lifestyle Fit

Numbers only tell part of the story. Consider climate preferences, commute times, proximity to family, school quality if you have children, healthcare access, and the general β€œfeel” of a city. A place that’s 15% cheaper might not be worth it if it means a longer commute or fewer amenities you value. If possible, visit Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY for a week before making a final decision β€” experiencing the day-to-day rhythm matters more than any spreadsheet.

Frequently Asked Questions: St. Petersburg, FL vs Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY

Is Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY cheaper than St. Petersburg, FL?

Yes, Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY is about 9.7% cheaper than St. Petersburg, FL. You could save approximately $728/month on a $150,000 salary. Housing costs are 13% lower in Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY.

What salary do I need in Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY to match my lifestyle in St. Petersburg, FL?

If you currently earn $150,000 in St. Petersburg, FL, you would need approximately $141,262 in Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY to maintain the same standard of living. This accounts for differences in housing, groceries, transportation, utilities, healthcare, and other typical expenses. Use the salary input above to adjust this based on your actual income.

How does rent compare between St. Petersburg, FL and Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY?

A two-bedroom apartment averages $2,040/month in St. Petersburg, FL compared to $1,000/month in Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY. One-bedroom apartments are $1,750/month in St. Petersburg, FL vs $820/month in Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY. These are area-wide medians β€” specific neighborhoods can vary significantly. Check the ZIP-level rent breakdown above for more granular data.

Are groceries more expensive in St. Petersburg, FL or Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY?

Groceries are about 6% cheaper in Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY than in St. Petersburg, FL, saving a typical household roughly $59.96/month on food.

What is the best time to move from St. Petersburg, FL to Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY?

Most people find that moving during the off-season (October through March) results in lower moving costs, since demand for movers and rental trucks drops. If you're renting, you may also find more negotiable lease terms during winter months. However, if you have school-age children, summer moves allow for a smoother school transition. For the best combination of availability and price, consider moving in early fall or late spring.

πŸ’° See how taxes change too β€” compare take-home pay between Florida and Kentucky on TaxTakeHome.com

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