Akron OH vs St. Petersburg FL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026

Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)

Akron, OH

Ohio · Population: 189,526

  • Median HH Income$48,544
  • Median Home Price$140,512
  • Unemployment8.0%
  • Bachelor's+23.3%

St. Petersburg, FL

Florida · Population: 260,646

  • Median HH Income$73,118
  • Median Home Price$331,500
  • Unemployment4.9%
  • Bachelor's+41.3%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Akron
189,526
St. Petersburg
260,646
St. Petersburg +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Akron +
St. Petersburg
43.1
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
St. Petersburg
10.1%
St. Petersburg +
White
Akron
56.1%
St. Petersburg
66.2%
St. Petersburg +
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
St. Petersburg
19.4%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
St. Petersburg
3.1%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
St. Petersburg
9.3%
St. Petersburg +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
St. Petersburg
$73,118
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
St. Petersburg
$49,823
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
St. Petersburg
$65,328
St. Petersburg +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
St. Petersburg
4.9%
St. Petersburg +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
St. Petersburg
11.7%
St. Petersburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
St. Petersburg
41.3%
St. Petersburg +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
St. Petersburg
$331,500
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
St. Petersburg
63.0%
St. Petersburg +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
St. Petersburg
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
St. Petersburg
1453
St. Petersburg +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
St. Petersburg
32.7%
St. Petersburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
St. Petersburg
12.2%
St. Petersburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
St. Petersburg
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
St. Petersburg
16.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
St. Petersburg
12.4%
St. Petersburg +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
St. Petersburg
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
St. Petersburg
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
St. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
St. Petersburg
75.0%
St. Petersburg +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
St. Petersburg
26.8 min

Which City is Right for You?

St. Petersburg leads in median household income at $73,118, while akron offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $140,512. On public safety, Akron is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in St. Petersburg. St. Petersburg has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and St. Petersburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Petersburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.

Compare More Cities

About Akron & St. Petersburg