Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from St. Petersburg to Phoenix
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Phoenix has a higher median household income ($81,332 vs $75,192) and higher median home value ($42024 ACS 5-year data shows Phoenix with higher median household income ($81,332 vs $75,192) and higher median home value ($420,700 vs $371,100), while St. Petersburg has slightly higher median gross rent ($1,663 vs $1,582). Commute times are similar (27 vs 28 minutes). Phoenix applies a 2.50% state income tax in the model, whereas St. Petersburg’s state tax is excluded per source boundaries. The uniform non-housing baseline of $1,250/month is a model assumption for both. These factors create a trade-off: Phoenix offers greater income and home equity potential but at higher tax exposure in the model, while St. Petersburg has lower modeled tax burden but lower income and home values, with rent slightly above Phoenix despite lower incomes.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Phoenix → St. PetersburgMoving from St. Petersburg to Phoenix
Median Rent Impact
-$81/mo
Moving to Phoenix saves ~$972/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+2.5%
~$2,500 more state tax on a $100k salary in Arizona.
Daily Commute Difference
+1 min / day
Difference of ~8 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
Adjust the assumptions. Every result updates instantly.
Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTSTP → PHX
62/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$10,556after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference
Watch closelyThe $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above Dallas despite similar commute time
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Phoenix is about $972 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
St. Petersburg household income$75,192
Phoenix household income$81,332
St. Petersburg gross rent$1,663
Phoenix gross rent$1,582
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | St. Petersburg | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 262,732 | 1,642,323 |
| Median household income | $75,192 | $81,332 |
| Median gross rent | $1,663 | $1,582 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $371,100 | $420,700 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 2.5% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 27 minutes in St. Petersburg and 28 minutes in Phoenix. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Median household income
- Median home value
- Median gross rent
- One-way commute time
- Modeled state income tax
- Uniform non-housing baseline
What each city wins
St. Petersburg
Median owner-occupied home value of $371,100.. Watch a 27-minute derived commute against citywide housing costs..
Phoenix
A balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference. Watch the $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above dallas despite similar commute time.
Frequently asked questions
Which city has higher housing costs relative to income?
St. Petersburg has a higher rent-to-income ratio: median gross rent is $1,663 on $75,192 income (26.6%), while Phoenix’s rent is $1,582 on $81,332 income (23.3%), making housing more burdensome in St. Petersburg despite lower absolute rent.
How does the modeled state tax affect take-home pay comparison?
The calculator applies a 2.50% state income tax to Phoenix income, reducing modeled take-home pay, while St. Petersburg’s state tax is excluded per source boundaries. This narrows the after-tax income gap between the cities despite Phoenix’s higher gross earnings.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.