Goulding, FL vs St. Augustine Shores, FL

The cost of living difference between Goulding, FL and St. Augustine Shores, FL is dramatic. Goulding is 34.3% cheaper than St. Augustine Shores, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Goulding has a cost index of 73 while St. Augustine Shores sits at 112, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Goulding is $1,077/month compared to $1,746/month in St. Augustine Shores — a 38% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Goulding is more affordable at $86,800 median vs $290,000.

Median household income in Goulding is $27,299 compared to $72,724 in St. Augustine Shores (-62.5%). While St. Augustine Shores is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Goulding spend roughly 47.3% of their income on rent, more than the 28.8% in St. Augustine Shores. The St. Augustine Shores ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (69.4°F vs 71.4°F). Goulding receives more rainfall at 68.3" per year compared to 47.6" in St. Augustine Shores.