Key West, FL vs St. Pete Beach, FL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. St. Pete Beach is 17.1% cheaper than Key West. With a cost index of 141 vs 166, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from St. Pete Beach to Key West should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Key West is $2,075/month compared to $1,753/month in St. Pete Beach — a 18% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: St. Pete Beach is more affordable at $639,900 median vs $816,300.

Median household income in Key West is $78,532 compared to $108,931 in St. Pete Beach (-27.9%). St. Pete Beach offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Key West spend roughly 31.7% of their income on rent, more than the 19.3% in St. Pete Beach. The St. Pete Beach ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, Key West is notably warmer with an average of 78.9°F compared to 74.7°F in St. Pete Beach. St. Pete Beach receives more rainfall at 46.7" per year compared to 40.4" in Key West.