Jacksonville 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)
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
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
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
St. Petersburg
260,646
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jacksonville
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Median Age
Jacksonville
36.4
Jacksonville +
St. Petersburg
43.1
Foreign Born
Jacksonville
12.2%
Jacksonville +
St. Petersburg
10.1%
White
Jacksonville
51.2%
St. Petersburg
66.2%
St. Petersburg +
Black
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
St. Petersburg
19.4%
Asian
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
St. Petersburg
3.1%
Hispanic
Jacksonville
12.0%
Jacksonville +
St. Petersburg
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Jacksonville
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 260,646 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 43.1 | Jacksonville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 10.1% | Jacksonville + |
| White | 51.2% | 66.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Black | 30.1% | 19.4% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 4.9% | 3.1% | Jacksonville + |
| Hispanic | 12.0% | 9.3% | Jacksonville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jacksonville
$66,981
St. Petersburg
$73,118
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Income
Jacksonville
$37,269
St. Petersburg
$49,823
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jacksonville
$65,328
St. Petersburg
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
St. Petersburg
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Jacksonville
15.0%
St. Petersburg
11.7%
St. Petersburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jacksonville
31.9%
St. Petersburg
41.3%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,981 | $73,118 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,269 | $49,823 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 11.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.9% | 41.3% | St. Petersburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
St. Petersburg
$331,500
Homeownership Rate
Jacksonville
57.4%
St. Petersburg
63.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $286,396 | $331,500 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.4% | 63.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
324
St. Petersburg
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
1453
St. Petersburg
1453
Tie
| Metric | Jacksonville, 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
Jacksonville
34.8%
St. Petersburg
32.7%
St. Petersburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.2%
St. Petersburg
12.2%
St. Petersburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jacksonville
18.8%
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.9%
St. Petersburg
11.1%
St. Petersburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
St. Petersburg
16.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
14.8%
St. Petersburg
12.4%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 32.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.6% | St. Petersburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 12.4% | St. Petersburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
70.2°F
St. Petersburg
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
50.0 in
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 70.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jacksonville
75.0%
St. Petersburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jacksonville, 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
Jacksonville
26.0 min
Jacksonville +
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 26.8 min | Jacksonville + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Petersburg leads in median household income at $73,118, while jacksonville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,396. On public safety, St. Petersburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Jacksonville. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, 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%.
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