Madison, FL vs St. Pete Beach, FL

The cost of living difference between Madison, FL and St. Pete Beach, FL is dramatic. Madison is 51.6% cheaper than St. Pete Beach, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Madison has a cost index of 69 while St. Pete Beach sits at 141, 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 Madison is $849/month compared to $1,753/month in St. Pete Beach — a 52% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Madison is more affordable at $84,400 median vs $639,900.

Median household income in Madison is $31,025 compared to $108,931 in St. Pete Beach (-71.5%). While St. Pete Beach is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Madison spend roughly 32.8% 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, St. Pete Beach is notably warmer with an average of 74.7°F compared to 67°F in Madison. Madison receives more rainfall at 48.4" per year compared to 46.7" in St. Pete Beach.