Boca Raton FL 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)
Boca Raton, FL
Florida · Population: 98,833
- Median HH Income$102,722
- Median Home Price$562,670
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+60.4%
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
Boca Raton
98,833
St. Petersburg
260,646
St. Petersburg +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boca Raton
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Median Age
Boca Raton
45.8
St. Petersburg
43.1
St. Petersburg +
Foreign Born
Boca Raton
20.0%
Boca Raton +
St. Petersburg
10.1%
White
Boca Raton
77.2%
Boca Raton +
St. Petersburg
66.2%
Black
Boca Raton
5.7%
St. Petersburg
19.4%
St. Petersburg +
Asian
Boca Raton
3.0%
St. Petersburg
3.1%
St. Petersburg +
Hispanic
Boca Raton
15.4%
Boca Raton +
St. Petersburg
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Boca Raton
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,833 | 260,646 | St. Petersburg + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 45.8 | 43.1 | St. Petersburg + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 10.1% | Boca Raton + |
| White | 77.2% | 66.2% | Boca Raton + |
| Black | 5.7% | 19.4% | St. Petersburg + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 3.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 9.3% | Boca Raton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boca Raton
$102,722
Boca Raton +
St. Petersburg
$73,118
Per Capita Income
Boca Raton
$72,542
Boca Raton +
St. Petersburg
$49,823
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boca Raton
$65,328
St. Petersburg
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Boca Raton
5.9%
St. Petersburg
4.9%
St. Petersburg +
Poverty Rate
Boca Raton
9.4%
Boca Raton +
St. Petersburg
11.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boca Raton
60.4%
Boca Raton +
St. Petersburg
41.3%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $102,722 | $73,118 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Income | $72,542 | $49,823 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.9% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.4% | 11.7% | Boca Raton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.4% | 41.3% | Boca Raton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boca Raton
$562,670
St. Petersburg
$331,500
St. Petersburg +
Homeownership Rate
Boca Raton
65.8%
Boca Raton +
St. Petersburg
63.0%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $562,670 | $331,500 | St. Petersburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 63.0% | Boca Raton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
324
St. Petersburg
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
1453
St. Petersburg
1453
Tie
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 324 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1453 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
23.2%
Boca Raton +
St. Petersburg
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
10.4%
Boca Raton +
St. Petersburg
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boca Raton
14.3%
Boca Raton +
St. Petersburg
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
9.7%
Boca Raton +
St. Petersburg
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
14.7%
Boca Raton +
St. Petersburg
16.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
8.8%
Boca Raton +
St. Petersburg
12.4%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.2% | 32.7% | Boca Raton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.2% | Boca Raton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | 16.6% | Boca Raton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.1% | Boca Raton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 16.6% | Boca Raton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 12.4% | Boca Raton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
7.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boca Raton
75.0%
St. Petersburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boca Raton
23.4 min
Boca Raton +
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 26.8 min | Boca Raton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boca Raton leads in median household income at $102,722, 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 324 in Boca Raton. 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, Boca Raton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.2%.
Compare More Cities
Boca Raton, FL vs New York, NYBoca Raton, FL vs Los Angeles, CABoca Raton, FL vs Chicago, ILBoca Raton, FL vs Houston, TXBoca Raton, FL vs Phoenix, AZBoca Raton, FL vs Philadelphia, PA