Median rent is 12% lower in Arlington ($1,470/mo vs $1,663/mo). Buying is cheaper in Arlington, where the median home runs $304,700 versus $371,100. Households earn more in St. Petersburg ($75,192 vs $75,171 a year). Taken together, St. Petersburg is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 102.5 against 102.5 — about 0% lower overall prices.
City A
Arlington, TX
City B
St. Petersburg, FL
How much would you need to earn in St. Petersburg, FL to maintain your standard of living from Arlington, TX?
Equivalent salary in St. Petersburg, FL
$74,988
You could earn $12 less (0% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Arlington
Texas
St. Petersburg
Florida
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Arlington at $1,470/mo compared to $1,663/mo in St. Petersburg (12% gap). Median home values are within 18% of each other: $304,700 in Arlington and $371,100 in St. Petersburg.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Arlington
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
St. Petersburg
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Both cities have similar air quality: Arlington averages 55.0 AQI (Moderate) and St. Petersburg averages 56.0 AQI (Moderate).
Pick Arlington if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,470/mo median).
Is Arlington cheaper than St. Petersburg?
St. Petersburg is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 102.5 versus 102.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in St. Petersburg.
How much is rent in Arlington vs St. Petersburg?
Median rent is $1,470/mo in Arlington, TX and $1,663/mo in St. Petersburg, FL. Arlington, TX has the lower rent by about 12%.
Which has higher salaries — Arlington or St. Petersburg?
Median household income is $75,171 in Arlington, TX and $75,192 in St. Petersburg, FL. St. Petersburg, FL has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Arlington, TX has better air quality on average: 55.0 AQI versus 56.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Arlington or St. Petersburg?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in St. Petersburg to match my Arlington income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Arlington, TX is equivalent to roughly $99,983 in St. Petersburg, FL (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
