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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

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Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.2K/month more in St. Petersburg, FL

$150.0K in your current city equals $164.2K in St. Petersburg, FL

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates ยท COL index from area
Overall Cost
โ†‘ 15.7%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$1,180
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$14.2K
Per year

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

Winston-Salem, NC

Population:250K
Cost Index:
100
100 = national average
Median Home:$254K

St. Petersburg, FL

Population:264K
Cost Index:
116
(16% above avg)
Median Home:$333K

Winston-Salem, NC

The Tar Heel State

250K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in North Carolina, this city has a population of 250K 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.

๐Ÿ’ก Advantage: Florida has no state income tax!

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Winston-Salem, NC vs St. Petersburg, FL

Housing
โ†‘ 26.8%
Winston-Salem, NC
$2,131
St. Petersburg, FL
$2,703
Difference
$572
more
Other
โ†‘ 14.9%
Winston-Salem, NC
$1,574
St. Petersburg, FL
$1,808
Difference
$234
more
Transportation
โ†‘ 6.8%
Winston-Salem, NC
$1,202
St. Petersburg, FL
$1,284
Difference
$81.96
more
Groceries
โ†‘ 6.3%
Winston-Salem, NC
$959
St. Petersburg, FL
$1,019
Difference
$59.96
more
All Utilities
โ†‘ 10.5%
Winston-Salem, NC
$519
St. Petersburg, FL
$574
Difference
$54.64
more
Healthcare
โ†“ 5.2%
Winston-Salem, NC
$601
St. Petersburg, FL
$570
Difference
$30.98
less

๐Ÿ Rent Comparison

Studio
From$1,065
To$1,640
โ†‘ $575
1 Bed
From$1,155
To$1,750
โ†‘ $595
2 Bed
From$1,315
To$2,040
โ†‘ $725
3 Bed
From$1,715
To$2,610
โ†‘ $895
Winston-Salem, NCZIP-level data

1BR range: $960โ€“$1,260/mo

St. Petersburg, FLZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,420โ€“$2,500/mo

๐Ÿ’ก 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.

$6,986
Monthly in Winston-Salem, NC
$7,958
Monthly in St. Petersburg, FL
$972
Difference

Home Values

Winston-Salem
St. Petersburg
$254K
Median Value
$333K
โ†‘ +0.4%
YoY Change
โ†“ -7.3%
โ†‘ +37.2%
5-Year Change
โ†‘ +29%
$168K - $363K
Price Range
$162K - $712K

Homes in St. Petersburg are 31% more expensive than Winston-Salem

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
โ†‘ $7.1K
Per year
Monthly Difference
$594
More take-home
Effective Rate Diff
4.7%
Rate difference

Winston-Salem, 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
$0
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

Winston-Salem, NC Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.1%
Property Tax:0.8%

St. Petersburg, FL Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.2%
Property Tax:0.8%

๐Ÿ’ก 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

Winston-Salem
St. Petersburg
47 Good
Air Quality
50 Good
57.4%
Good Air Days
52.5%
92 Moderate
Climate Risk
99 High
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒช๐Ÿ’จ
Top Hazards
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒ…๐ŸŒ€
โ–ฒ+2.8ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.2ยฐF
30 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
38 days
โ–ฒ+2.8ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.2ยฐF
30 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
38 days

๐Ÿ’ฐ See how taxes change too โ€” compare take-home pay between North Carolina and Florida on TaxTakeHome.com

Where your money goes further

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