Charlotte NC 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
St. Petersburg
260,646
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
St. Petersburg
43.1
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
St. Petersburg
10.1%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
St. Petersburg
66.2%
St. Petersburg +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
St. Petersburg
19.4%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
St. Petersburg
3.1%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
St. Petersburg
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 260,646 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 43.1 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 10.1% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 66.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Black | 34.1% | 19.4% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 3.1% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 9.3% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
St. Petersburg
$73,118
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
St. Petersburg
$49,823
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
St. Petersburg
$65,328
St. Petersburg +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
St. Petersburg
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
St. Petersburg
11.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
St. Petersburg
41.3%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $73,118 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $49,823 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $65,328 | St. Petersburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.9% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 11.7% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 41.3% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
St. Petersburg
$331,500
St. Petersburg +
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
St. Petersburg
63.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $331,500 | St. Petersburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 63.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
St. Petersburg
324
St. Petersburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
St. Petersburg
1453
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | St. Petersburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | St. Petersburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
St. Petersburg
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
St. Petersburg
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
St. Petersburg
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
St. Petersburg
11.1%
St. Petersburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
St. Petersburg
16.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
St. Petersburg
12.4%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 32.7% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 12.2% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 16.6% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 16.6% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.4% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
St. Petersburg
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
St. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
St. Petersburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | St. Petersburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Charlotte +
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 26.8 min | Charlotte + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, 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 398 in Charlotte. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and St. Petersburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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