Median rent is 5% lower in Raleigh ($1,572/mo vs $1,663/mo). Buying is cheaper in St. Petersburg, where the median home runs $371,100 versus $415,800. Households earn more in Raleigh ($85,395 vs $75,192 a year). Taken together, Raleigh is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 98.4 against 102.5 — about 4% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Raleigh, NC.
Cost of living verdict
Raleigh is 4% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 98.4 in Raleigh vs 102.5 in St. Petersburg (US national average = 100)
City A
Raleigh, NC
City B
St. Petersburg, FL
How much would you need to earn in St. Petersburg, FL to maintain your standard of living from Raleigh, NC?
Equivalent salary in St. Petersburg, FL
$78,140
You'd need $3,140 more (4% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Raleigh
North Carolina
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: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,572/mo in Raleigh and $1,663/mo in St. Petersburg. Median home values are within 11% of each other: $415,800 in Raleigh 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.
Raleigh
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
St. Petersburg
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Raleigh has cleaner air on average: 47.0 AQI (Good) compared to 56.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Raleigh if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 98.4 vs 102.5).
Pick Raleigh if you prioritize higher median household income ($85,395/yr).
Pick Raleigh if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 47.0).
Is Raleigh cheaper than St. Petersburg?
Raleigh is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 98.4 versus 102.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 4% lower in Raleigh.
How much is rent in Raleigh vs St. Petersburg?
Median rent is $1,572/mo in Raleigh, NC and $1,663/mo in St. Petersburg, FL. Raleigh, NC has the lower rent by about 5%.
Which has higher salaries — Raleigh or St. Petersburg?
Median household income is $85,395 in Raleigh, NC and $75,192 in St. Petersburg, FL. Raleigh, NC 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?
Raleigh, NC has better air quality on average: 47.0 AQI versus 56.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Raleigh 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 Raleigh income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Raleigh, NC is equivalent to roughly $104,187 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
