San Antonio, TX vs St. Petersburg, FL

Cost of Living Comparison — 2026

Renters in San Antonio, TX spend a smaller share of their income on housing. Median household income is 16% higher in St. Petersburg, FL. Home prices in St. Petersburg, FL run 51% higher.

$62,917
Income in San Antonio
$73,118
Income in St. Petersburg
$1,258
Rent in San Antonio
$1,542
Rent in St. Petersburg

Detailed Comparison

Metric
San Antonio, TX
St. Petersburg, FL
Difference
Median Household Income
$62,917
$73,118
16% higher
Median Home Value
$219,700
$331,500
51% more
Median Monthly Rent
$1,258
$1,542
23% more
Median Monthly Housing Costs
$1,235
$1,435
16% more
Unemployment Rate
5.7%
4.9%
14% less
Population
1,458,954
260,646

Housing Costs and Affordability

A common benchmark is spending no more than 30% of gross income on housing. In San Antonio, TX, renters allocate roughly 24.0% of median household income to rent (within that threshold). In St. Petersburg, FL, the figure is 25.3% , making San Antonio, TX the easier city for renters on a budget.

For prospective homebuyers, the price-to-income ratio tells you how many years of gross income it takes to match the median home price. In San Antonio, TX, that ratio is 3.5x. Homes cost 3.5 times the median annual income. In St. Petersburg, FL, it's 4.5x. Homes are relatively more attainable in San Antonio, TX.

Monthly housing costs (rent plus utilities) average $1,235 in San Antonio and $1,435 in St. Petersburg. These figures include renters paying utilities separately from rent.

Income and Labor Market

Median household income in San Antonio, TX is $62,917; in St. Petersburg, FL it is $73,118. That's a $10,201 gap, but income alone doesn't tell the full story without accounting for local costs.

Unemployment stands at 5.7% in San Antonio and 4.9% in St. Petersburg. Labor force participation (the share of the population working or actively job-seeking) is 52.0% in San Antonio versus 55.6% in St. Petersburg.

Population

San Antonio, TX has a population of 1,458,954, making it the larger of the two cities. St. Petersburg, FL has 260,646 residents. City size affects everything from transit options and job market depth to cost pressures. Larger metros typically see higher housing demand.

Data Sources

All data is from the US Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Income, housing, and employment figures represent the most recent available estimates. Data is refreshed as new Census releases become available.

Verify this data at data.census.gov