salarySt. Petersburg is the 5th-largest city in Florida that we track, with 262,732 residents. Rent is higher than in 71% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.6 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $81,760 a year. That is $39 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Florida cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Florida. It is number 276 of 479 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare St. Petersburg with other big cities
Compare St. Petersburg to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in St. Petersburg?
Share of households by yearly income. 27.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in St. Petersburg
| Size | St. Petersburg | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,450 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,497 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,875 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,198 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,309 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is St. Petersburg overall?
Everyday prices in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metro area are 1% above the U.S. average (index 100.9, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in St. Petersburg
Life in St. Petersburg
What jobs pay in St. Petersburg
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $137,990 | 17.8% |
| Software Developer | $130,450 | 18.8% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,120 | 19.1% |
| Physician Assistant | $127,820 | 19.2% |
| Lawyer | $127,490 | 19.2% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $105,080 | 23.3% |
| Operations Manager | $103,670 | 23.7% |
| Civil Engineer | $100,570 | 24.4% |
| Dental Hygienist | $95,870 | 25.6% |
| Registered Nurse | $85,470 | 28.7% |
| Accountant | $78,990 | 31.1% |
| Police Officer | $75,710 | 32.4% |
| Market Research Analyst | $75,210 | 32.6% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $62,490 | 39.3% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $60,120 | 40.8% |
| Firefighter | $59,660 | 41.1% |
| Electrician | $57,450 | 42.7% |
| Carpenter | $52,130 | 47.1% |
| Plumber | $52,000 | 47.2% |
| Truck Driver | $50,560 | 48.5% |
| HVAC Technician | $50,540 | 48.5% |
| Medical Assistant | $44,480 | 55.1% |
| Customer Service Representative | $42,660 | 57.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $37,570 | 65.3% |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,470 | 65.5% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $37,070 | 66.2% |
| Restaurant Cook | $37,010 | 66.3% |
| Retail Salesperson | $33,790 | 72.6% |
| Cashier | $30,290 | 81.0% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in St. Petersburg?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $531 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $371,100 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $37,110 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in St. Petersburg, FL?
Renting in St. Petersburg costs a median of about $2,044 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Florida median is $1,963.
How much do I need to make to live in St. Petersburg?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $81,760 a year, or $39 an hour at a full-time job.
Is St. Petersburg cheap or expensive?
St. Petersburg is rated Expensive: rent takes 30.2% of the typical household income of $81,095. It ranks 276th cheapest of 479 Florida cities we track.
How much are property taxes in St. Petersburg?
The median homeowner in St. Petersburg pays $2,463 a year in property taxes, about 0.66% of the median home value.
Is St. Petersburg more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 1% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in St. Petersburg?
The median home value in St. Petersburg is $371,100, about 4.6 times the typical yearly household income.
262,732 people live in St. Petersburg. Numbers are typical (middle) values.