Is Phoenix, AZ cheaper than St. Petersburg, FL?

Based on cost of living data, Phoenix, AZ is 0.2% more expensive than St. Petersburg, FL. The two cities have very similar living costs.

What salary do I need in Phoenix, AZ to live like I do in St. Petersburg, FL?

If you earn $150,000 in St. Petersburg, FL, you'd need approximately $150,174.757 in Phoenix, AZ to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between St. Petersburg, FL and Phoenix, AZ?

Housing in Phoenix, AZ is 3.2% more expensive than in St. Petersburg, FL. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,750/month in Phoenix, AZ compared to $2,040/month in St. Petersburg, FL.

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

St. Petersburg, FL and Phoenix, AZ have very similar costs of living, based on a $150,000 salary.

St. Petersburg, FL vs Phoenix, AZ: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 St. Petersburg, FL — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Tampa, FL area

Current salary in St. Petersburg, FL

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $14.56/month more in Phoenix, AZ

$150.0K in your current city equals $150.2K in Phoenix, AZ

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL area

Overall Cost

↑ 0.2%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$14.56

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$175

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

Median Home:$333K

Phoenix, AZ

Population:1608K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$414K

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!

Phoenix, AZ

The Grand Canyon State

1.6M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Hot desert

Notable Facts

•Fastest growing major city
•Desert metropolis
•Spring training capital

Major Industries

TechnologyHealthcareTourismManufacturing

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: St. Petersburg, FL vs Phoenix, AZ

Category	St. Petersburg, FL	Phoenix, AZ	Difference	Change
🚗Transportation	$1,284/mo	$1,489/mo	↑ $205more	16.0%
📦Other	$1,808/mo	$1,677/mo	↓ $131less	7.2%
🏠Housing	$2,703/mo	$2,788/mo	↑ $85.76more	3.2%
🛒Groceries	$1,019/mo	$963/mo	↓ $55.96less	5.5%
🏥Healthcare	$570/mo	$589/mo	↑ $18.59more	3.3%
⚡All Utilities	$574/mo	$561/mo	↓ $12.57less	2.2%

🚗Transportation

↑ 16.0%

St. Petersburg, FL

$1,284

Phoenix, AZ

$1,489

Difference

$205

📦Other

↓ 7.2%

St. Petersburg, FL

$1,808

Phoenix, AZ

$1,677

Difference

$131

less

🏠Housing

↑ 3.2%

St. Petersburg, FL

$2,703

Phoenix, AZ

$2,788

Difference

$85.76

🛒Groceries

↓ 5.5%

St. Petersburg, FL

$1,019

Phoenix, AZ

$963

Difference

$55.96

less

🏥Healthcare

↑ 3.3%

St. Petersburg, FL

$570

Phoenix, AZ

$589

Difference

$18.59

⚡All Utilities

↓ 2.2%

St. Petersburg, FL

$574

Phoenix, AZ

$561

Difference

$12.57

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,640

To$1,390

↓ $250

1 Bed

From$1,750

To$1,510

↓ $240

2 Bed

From$2,040

To$1,750

↓ $290

3 Bed

From$2,610

To$2,330

↓ $280

St. Petersburg, FLZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,420–$2,500/mo

Phoenix, AZZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,300–$2,380/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.

$7,958

Monthly in St. Petersburg, FL

$8,068

Monthly in Phoenix, AZ

$110

Difference

Home Values

St. Petersburg

Phoenix

$333K

Median Value

$414K

↓ -7.3%

YoY Change

↓ -3.1%

↑ +29%

5-Year Change

↑ +30.2%

$162K - $712K

Price Range

$274K - $957K

Homes in Phoenix are 24% more expensive than St. Petersburg

Calculate payment - St. Petersburg Calculate payment - Phoenix

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $5.2K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$436

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

3.5%

Rate difference

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

Phoenix, AZ

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Arizona State Tax

Effective: 3.5%

$5.2K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 28.2%

$42.2K

Take-Home Pay

$8,979/month

$107.8K

Additional Tax Information

St. Petersburg, FL Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.2%

Property Tax:0.8%

Phoenix, AZ Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.5%

Property Tax:0.6%

💡 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.