Orlando vs St. Petersburg: Housing Costs in Florida
Side-by-side comparison of home prices, mortgage payments, and housing costs between Orlando and St. Petersburg, Florida. Using Florida's 0.86% property tax rate and $4,200/year insurance. Updated for 2026.
Metric
Orlando
St. Petersburg
Median Home Price
$375K
$375K
Population
307,573
258,308
Average Rent
$1,680/mo
$1,650/mo
Est. Monthly Mortgage (P&I)
$2,133/mo
$2,133/mo
Est. Monthly Property Tax
$269/mo
$269/mo
Est. Monthly Insurance
$350/mo
$350/mo
Est. Total PITI
$2,893/mo
$2,893/mo
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.6
18.9
Verdict
Orlando and St. Petersburg are nearly identical in monthly housing costs, with only $0/month separating them. Your choice should come down to lifestyle, commute, and neighborhood preferences rather than cost.
Monthly Payment Comparison
Estimated PITI payments assuming 10% down, 6.5% rate, 30-year fixed mortgage with PMI. Uses Florida's 0.86% property tax rate.
Orlando
Home Price$375,000
Down Payment (10%)$37,500
Loan Amount$337,500
Monthly P&I$2,133
Monthly Property Tax$269
Monthly Insurance$350
Monthly PMI$141
Total PITI$2,893/mo
Annual property tax: $3,225
St. Petersburg
Home Price$375,000
Down Payment (10%)$37,500
Loan Amount$337,500
Monthly P&I$2,133
Monthly Property Tax$269
Monthly Insurance$350
Monthly PMI$141
Total PITI$2,893/mo
Annual property tax: $3,225
Which City Is Better For...
First-Time Buyers
St. Petersburg is the better choice for first-time buyers, with a median price of $375K versus $375K in Orlando. That's $0 less to save for a down payment. You'd need roughly $13K for an FHA 3.5% down payment in St. Petersburg, compared to $13K in Orlando. Florida offers the Florida Hometown Heroes program (Up to 5% as 0% deferred loan) which applies in both cities.
Real Estate Investment
Orlando has the better price-to-rent ratio at 18.6x versus 18.9x in St. Petersburg. A lower ratio generally signals better rental income relative to purchase price. Average rent in Orlando is $1,680/month on a $375K median home, making it a stronger candidate for buy-and-rent investors.
Families
Orlando (pop. 307,573) offers more amenities, schools, and services typical of a larger city, while St. Petersburg (pop. 258,308) may offer a quieter, more community-oriented lifestyle. Families on a budget may prefer St. Petersburg, where lower housing costs free up more income for childcare, education, and savings.