Mesa AZ 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)
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
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
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
St. Petersburg
260,646
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Mesa +
St. Petersburg
43.1
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
St. Petersburg
10.1%
White
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
St. Petersburg
66.2%
Black
Mesa
4.4%
St. Petersburg
19.4%
St. Petersburg +
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
St. Petersburg
3.1%
St. Petersburg +
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
St. Petersburg
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 260,646 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 43.1 | Mesa + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 10.1% | Mesa + |
| White | 69.7% | 66.2% | Mesa + |
| Black | 4.4% | 19.4% | St. Petersburg + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 9.3% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
St. Petersburg
$73,118
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
St. Petersburg
$49,823
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
St. Petersburg
$65,328
St. Petersburg +
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
St. Petersburg
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
St. Petersburg
11.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
St. Petersburg
41.3%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $73,118 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $49,823 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $65,328 | St. Petersburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.9% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 11.7% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 41.3% | St. Petersburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
St. Petersburg
$331,500
St. Petersburg +
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
St. Petersburg
63.0%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $331,500 | St. Petersburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 63.0% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
St. Petersburg
324
St. Petersburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
St. Petersburg
1453
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 324 | St. Petersburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1453 | St. Petersburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
St. Petersburg
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
St. Petersburg
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
St. Petersburg
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
St. Petersburg
11.1%
St. Petersburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
St. Petersburg
16.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
St. Petersburg
12.4%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 32.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.2% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 16.6% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.6% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
St. Petersburg
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
St. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
St. Petersburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 26.8 min | Mesa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, 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 450 in Mesa. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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