Is St. Petersburg, FL cheaper than Virginia Beach, VA?

Based on cost of living data, St. Petersburg, FL is 0.0% cheaper than Virginia Beach, VA. The two cities have very similar living costs.

What salary do I need in St. Petersburg, FL to live like I do in Virginia Beach, VA?

If you earn $150,000 in Virginia Beach, VA, you'd need approximately $150,000 in St. Petersburg, FL to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Virginia Beach, VA and St. Petersburg, FL?

Housing in St. Petersburg, FL is 1.0% cheaper than in Virginia Beach, VA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,040/month in St. Petersburg, FL compared to $2,040/month in Virginia Beach, VA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Virginia Beach, VA to St. Petersburg, FL?

Virginia Beach, VA and St. Petersburg, FL have very similar costs of living, based on a $150,000 salary.

Virginia Beach, VA 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 Virginia Beach, VA

Numbers update automatically as you type

Virginia Beach, VA and St. Petersburg, FL have similar living costs

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

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC area

Overall Cost

→ 0.0%

Same cost

Monthly Impact

No change

Annual Impact

Per year

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

Virginia Beach, VA

Population:459K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$447K

St. Petersburg, FL

Population:264K

Cost Index:

100

(national average)

Median Home:$333K

Virginia Beach, VA

The Old Dominion State

459K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Virginia, this city has a population of 459K 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: Virginia Beach, VA vs St. Petersburg, FL

Category	Virginia Beach, VA	St. Petersburg, FL	Difference	Change
Healthcare	$632/mo	$570/mo	↓ $61.96less	9.8%
Groceries	$959/mo	$1,019/mo	↑ $59.96more	6.3%
Other	$1,758/mo	$1,808/mo	↑ $50.22more	2.9%
Housing	$2,729/mo	$2,703/mo	↓ $25.99less	1.0%
Transportation	$1,284/mo	$1,284/mo	→ $0	0.0%
All Utilities	$574/mo	$574/mo	→ $0	0.0%

Healthcare

↓ 9.8%

Virginia Beach, VA

$632

St. Petersburg, FL

$570

Difference

$61.96

less

Groceries

↑ 6.3%

Virginia Beach, VA

$959

St. Petersburg, FL

$1,019

Difference

$59.96

Other

↑ 2.9%

Virginia Beach, VA

$1,758

St. Petersburg, FL

$1,808

Difference

$50.22

Housing

↓ 1.0%

Virginia Beach, VA

$2,729

St. Petersburg, FL

$2,703

Difference

$25.99

less

Transportation

→ 0.0%

Virginia Beach, VA

$1,284

St. Petersburg, FL

$1,284

Difference

same

All Utilities

→ 0.0%

Virginia Beach, VA

$574

St. Petersburg, FL

$574

Difference

same

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,780

To$1,640

↓ $140

1 Bed

From$1,800

To$1,750

↓ $50.00

2 Bed

From$2,040

To$2,040

→ $0

3 Bed

From$2,830

To$2,610

↓ $220

Virginia Beach, VAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,690–$2,120/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.

$7,935

Monthly in Virginia Beach, VA

$7,958

Monthly in St. Petersburg, FL

$22.23

Difference

Home Values

Virginia Beach

St. Petersburg

$447K

Median Value

$333K

↑ +2.7%

YoY Change

↓ -7.3%

↑ +33.5%

5-Year Change

↑ +29%

$318K - $640K

Price Range

$162K - $712K

Homes in St. Petersburg are 25% less expensive than Virginia Beach

Calculate payment - Virginia Beach Calculate payment - St. Petersburg

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $8.4K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$697

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

5.6%

Rate difference

Virginia Beach, VA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Virginia State Tax

Effective: 5.6%

$8.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 30.3%

$45.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,718/month

$104.6K

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

Virginia Beach, VA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:5.7%

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.