Atlanta 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
St. Petersburg
260,646
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
St. Petersburg
43.1
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
St. Petersburg
10.1%
St. Petersburg +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
St. Petersburg
66.2%
St. Petersburg +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
St. Petersburg
19.4%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
St. Petersburg
3.1%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
St. Petersburg
9.3%
St. Petersburg +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 260,646 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 43.1 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 10.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| White | 39.9% | 66.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Black | 46.9% | 19.4% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 3.1% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 9.3% | St. Petersburg + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
St. Petersburg
$73,118
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
St. Petersburg
$49,823
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
St. Petersburg
$65,328
St. Petersburg +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
St. Petersburg
4.9%
St. Petersburg +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
St. Petersburg
11.7%
St. Petersburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
St. Petersburg
41.3%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $73,118 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $49,823 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $65,328 | St. Petersburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.9% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 11.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 41.3% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
St. Petersburg
$331,500
St. Petersburg +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
St. Petersburg
63.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $331,500 | St. Petersburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 63.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
St. Petersburg
324
St. Petersburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
St. Petersburg
1453
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Atlanta, 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
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
St. Petersburg
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
St. Petersburg
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
St. Petersburg
11.1%
St. Petersburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
St. Petersburg
12.4%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 32.7% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.2% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.6% | St. Petersburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 11.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.6% | St. Petersburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.4% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
St. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
St. Petersburg
75.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Atlanta, 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
Atlanta
28.7 min
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 26.8 min | St. Petersburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, 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 Atlanta. 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, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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