Median rent is 12% lower in St. Petersburg ($1,663/mo vs $1,885/mo). Buying is cheaper in St. Petersburg, where the median home runs $371,100 versus $540,200. Households earn more in Naperville ($155,105 vs $75,192 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. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Naperville, IL.
City A
Naperville, IL
City B
St. Petersburg, FL
How much would you need to earn in St. Petersburg, FL to maintain your standard of living from Naperville, IL?
Equivalent salary in St. Petersburg, FL
$74,990
You could earn $10 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
Naperville
Illinois
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 St. Petersburg at $1,663/mo compared to $1,885/mo in Naperville (12% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Naperville: the median home is $540,200 versus $371,100 in St. Petersburg — 31% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Naperville
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
St. Petersburg
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Naperville has cleaner air on average: 27.0 AQI (Good) compared to 56.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Naperville if you prioritize higher median household income ($155,105/yr).
Pick St. Petersburg if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,663/mo median).
Pick Naperville if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 27.0).
Is Naperville 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 Naperville vs St. Petersburg?
Median rent is $1,885/mo in Naperville, IL and $1,663/mo in St. Petersburg, FL. St. Petersburg, FL has the lower rent by about 12%.
Which has higher salaries — Naperville or St. Petersburg?
Median household income is $155,105 in Naperville, IL and $75,192 in St. Petersburg, FL. Naperville, IL 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?
Naperville, IL has better air quality on average: 27.0 AQI versus 56.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Naperville 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 Naperville income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Naperville, IL is equivalent to roughly $99,987 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
