Fresno CA 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
St. Petersburg
260,646
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
St. Petersburg
43.1
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
St. Petersburg
10.1%
White
Fresno
38.0%
St. Petersburg
66.2%
St. Petersburg +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
St. Petersburg
19.4%
St. Petersburg +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
St. Petersburg
3.1%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
St. Petersburg
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 260,646 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 43.1 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 10.1% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 66.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Black | 6.7% | 19.4% | St. Petersburg + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 3.1% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 9.3% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
St. Petersburg
$73,118
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
St. Petersburg
$49,823
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
St. Petersburg
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
St. Petersburg
4.9%
St. Petersburg +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
St. Petersburg
11.7%
St. Petersburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
St. Petersburg
41.3%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $73,118 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $49,823 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 4.9% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 11.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 41.3% | St. Petersburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
St. Petersburg
$331,500
St. Petersburg +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
St. Petersburg
63.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $331,500 | St. Petersburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 63.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
St. Petersburg
324
St. Petersburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
St. Petersburg
1453
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | St. Petersburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | St. Petersburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
St. Petersburg
32.7%
St. Petersburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
St. Petersburg
12.2%
St. Petersburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
St. Petersburg
11.1%
St. Petersburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
St. Petersburg
16.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
St. Petersburg
12.4%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 32.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.6% | St. Petersburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.6% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.4% | St. Petersburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
St. Petersburg
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
St. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
St. Petersburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | St. Petersburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
| Metric | Fresno, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 26.8 min | Fresno + |
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 503 in Fresno. 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, St. Petersburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
Compare More Cities
Fresno, CA vs New York, NYFresno, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fresno, CAFresno, CA vs Houston, TXFresno, CA vs Phoenix, AZFresno, CA vs Philadelphia, PA