Athens GA 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
St. Petersburg
260,646
St. Petersburg +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
St. Petersburg
43.1
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
St. Petersburg
10.1%
St. Petersburg +
White
Athens
57.6%
St. Petersburg
66.2%
St. Petersburg +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
St. Petersburg
19.4%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
St. Petersburg
3.1%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
St. Petersburg
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 260,646 | St. Petersburg + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 43.1 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 10.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| White | 57.6% | 66.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Black | 26.2% | 19.4% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 3.1% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 9.3% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
St. Petersburg
$73,118
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
St. Petersburg
$49,823
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
St. Petersburg
$65,328
St. Petersburg +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
St. Petersburg
4.9%
St. Petersburg +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
St. Petersburg
11.7%
St. Petersburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
St. Petersburg
41.3%
| Metric | Athens, GA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $73,118 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $49,823 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $65,328 | St. Petersburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.9% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 11.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 41.3% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
St. Petersburg
$331,500
St. Petersburg +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
St. Petersburg
63.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Athens, GA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $331,500 | St. Petersburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 63.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
St. Petersburg
324
St. Petersburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
St. Petersburg
1453
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Athens, GA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 324 | St. Petersburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1453 | St. Petersburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
St. Petersburg
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
St. Petersburg
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
St. Petersburg
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
St. Petersburg
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
St. Petersburg
16.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
St. Petersburg
12.4%
| Metric | Athens, GA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 32.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
St. Petersburg
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
St. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
St. Petersburg
75.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Athens, GA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | St. Petersburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 26.8 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Petersburg leads in median household income at $73,118, while st. Petersburg offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $331,500. On public safety, St. Petersburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. St. Petersburg has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and St. Petersburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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