Boston MA 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)
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
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
Boston
663,972
Boston +
St. Petersburg
260,646
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boston
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Median Age
Boston
33.2
Boston +
St. Petersburg
43.1
Foreign Born
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
St. Petersburg
10.1%
White
Boston
47.8%
St. Petersburg
66.2%
St. Petersburg +
Black
Boston
21.5%
Boston +
St. Petersburg
19.4%
Asian
Boston
10.0%
Boston +
St. Petersburg
3.1%
Hispanic
Boston
18.9%
Boston +
St. Petersburg
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Boston
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 260,646 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 43.1 | Boston + |
| Foreign Born | 27.5% | 10.1% | Boston + |
| White | 47.8% | 66.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Black | 21.5% | 19.4% | Boston + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 3.1% | Boston + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 9.3% | Boston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boston
$94,755
Boston +
St. Petersburg
$73,118
Per Capita Income
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
St. Petersburg
$49,823
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
St. Petersburg
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Boston
6.0%
St. Petersburg
4.9%
St. Petersburg +
Poverty Rate
Boston
16.9%
St. Petersburg
11.7%
St. Petersburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boston
54.1%
Boston +
St. Petersburg
41.3%
| Metric | Boston, MA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,755 | $73,118 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,001 | $49,823 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $65,328 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.9% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.9% | 11.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.1% | 41.3% | Boston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boston
$793,154
St. Petersburg
$331,500
St. Petersburg +
Homeownership Rate
Boston
35.4%
St. Petersburg
63.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Boston, MA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $793,154 | $331,500 | St. Petersburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.4% | 63.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
326
St. Petersburg
324
St. Petersburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
1086
Boston +
St. Petersburg
1453
| Metric | Boston, MA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 324 | St. Petersburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1453 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
St. Petersburg
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
8.6%
Boston +
St. Petersburg
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boston
18.0%
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
St. Petersburg
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boston
20.7%
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boston
10.7%
Boston +
St. Petersburg
12.4%
| Metric | Boston, MA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 32.7% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 12.2% | Boston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 16.6% | St. Petersburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 11.1% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 16.6% | St. Petersburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 12.4% | Boston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
51.5°F
St. Petersburg
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
43.8 in
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boston
75.0%
St. Petersburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boston, MA | 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
Boston
33.1 min
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Boston, MA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 26.8 min | St. Petersburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boston leads in median household income at $94,755, 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 326 in Boston. 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, Boston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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