Miami 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)
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
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
Miami
446,663
Miami +
St. Petersburg
260,646
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Median Age
Miami
39.7
Miami +
St. Petersburg
43.1
Foreign Born
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
St. Petersburg
10.1%
White
Miami
34.2%
St. Petersburg
66.2%
St. Petersburg +
Black
Miami
13.7%
St. Petersburg
19.4%
St. Petersburg +
Asian
Miami
1.6%
St. Petersburg
3.1%
St. Petersburg +
Hispanic
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
St. Petersburg
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Miami
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Miami, FL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 446,663 | 260,646 | Miami + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 43.1 | Miami + |
| Foreign Born | 57.7% | 10.1% | Miami + |
| White | 34.2% | 66.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Black | 13.7% | 19.4% | St. Petersburg + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| Hispanic | 71.2% | 9.3% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami
$59,390
St. Petersburg
$73,118
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Income
Miami
$42,528
St. Petersburg
$49,823
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami
$65,328
St. Petersburg
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Miami
5.0%
St. Petersburg
4.9%
St. Petersburg +
Poverty Rate
Miami
19.2%
St. Petersburg
11.7%
St. Petersburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami
35.6%
St. Petersburg
41.3%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Miami, FL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,390 | $73,118 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,528 | $49,823 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.9% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 11.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.6% | 41.3% | St. Petersburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami
$580,996
St. Petersburg
$331,500
St. Petersburg +
Homeownership Rate
Miami
30.7%
St. Petersburg
63.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Miami, FL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,996 | $331,500 | St. Petersburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 30.7% | 63.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
324
St. Petersburg
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
1453
St. Petersburg
1453
Tie
| Metric | Miami, 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
Miami
29.9%
Miami +
St. Petersburg
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.5%
St. Petersburg
12.2%
St. Petersburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
St. Petersburg
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami
27.2%
St. Petersburg
11.1%
St. Petersburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.3%
Miami +
St. Petersburg
16.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami
12.3%
Miami +
St. Petersburg
12.4%
| Metric | Miami, FL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.9% | 32.7% | Miami + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 12.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 16.6% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 11.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.6% | Miami + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 12.4% | Miami + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
75.8°F
St. Petersburg
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
64.1 in
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Miami, FL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami
75.0%
St. Petersburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Miami, 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
Miami
29.9 min
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Miami, FL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.9 min | 26.8 min | St. Petersburg + |
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 324 in Miami. 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, Miami scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.9%.
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