Florida · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in St. Petersburg, FL

The median household in St. Petersburg, FL earns $75,192 a year ($6,266/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,977/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $79,080 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 0.9% above the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$75,192$6,266 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,977HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)100.9+0.9% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.1¢per kWh · EIA Residential FL
Census Population262,732Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in St. Petersburg, FL

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Moderate cost burden (30–50%)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,977Monthly market rent
Share of gross income31.6%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$79,080To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,880At 30% of $75,192
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: St. Petersburg, FL

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL MSA. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for St. Petersburg, FL
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,593$19,116$63,72025.4%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,696$20,352$67,84027.1%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,977$23,724$79,08031.6%
3-Bedroom Home$2,527$30,324$101,08040.3%
4-Bedroom Home$3,077$36,924$123,08049.1%

See dedicated rental breakdown for St. Petersburg, FL →

50/30/20 Living Budget in St. Petersburg, FL

Based on the local median household income of $75,192/year ($6,266/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,133/moRent ($1,977 2-BR), utilities (~$136/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,880/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 100.9 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,253/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Florida

Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Florida state income tax based on the local median baseline.

$75,192
$30,000$155,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$75,192
Net 82%
Fed 10%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$61,728After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,144Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,374Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$7,712 / yr
Florida state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,752 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across Florida with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in St. Petersburg, FL

What is the median household income in St. Petersburg, FL?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in St. Petersburg, FL is $75,192 per year (approximately $6,266 per month).

What is the average rent in St. Petersburg, FL?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in St. Petersburg, FL are $1,593 for a studio, $1,696 for 1 bedroom, $1,977 for 2 bedrooms, $2,527 for 3 bedrooms, and $3,077 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in St. Petersburg, FL compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in St. Petersburg, FL is 100.9 (0.9% higher than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in St. Petersburg, FL?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,977/month) in St. Petersburg, FL requires a minimum gross household income of $79,080 per year ($6,590 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in St. Petersburg, FL?

For a typical household earning the median income of $75,192/year ($6,266/month) in St. Petersburg, FL, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,133/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,880/month to discretionary spending, and $1,253/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in St. Petersburg, FL?

Residential electricity rates in Florida average 15.1¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $136 per month.