Philadelphia PA 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)
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
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
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
St. Petersburg
260,646
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Philadelphia
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Median Age
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
St. Petersburg
43.1
Foreign Born
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
St. Petersburg
10.1%
White
Philadelphia
36.1%
St. Petersburg
66.2%
St. Petersburg +
Black
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
St. Petersburg
19.4%
Asian
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
St. Petersburg
3.1%
Hispanic
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
St. Petersburg
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Philadelphia
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 260,646 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 43.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 14.6% | 10.1% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 36.1% | 66.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Black | 39.9% | 19.4% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 3.1% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 15.2% | 9.3% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Philadelphia
$60,698
St. Petersburg
$73,118
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Income
Philadelphia
$37,669
St. Petersburg
$49,823
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Philadelphia
$65,080
St. Petersburg
$65,328
St. Petersburg +
Unemployment Rate
Philadelphia
8.4%
St. Petersburg
4.9%
St. Petersburg +
Poverty Rate
Philadelphia
22.0%
St. Petersburg
11.7%
St. Petersburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Philadelphia
34.6%
St. Petersburg
41.3%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,698 | $73,118 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,669 | $49,823 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $65,328 | St. Petersburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4% | 4.9% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 11.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.6% | 41.3% | St. Petersburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
St. Petersburg
$331,500
Homeownership Rate
Philadelphia
52.3%
St. Petersburg
63.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $233,814 | $331,500 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.3% | 63.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
St. Petersburg
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
1613
St. Petersburg
1453
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 324 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1453 | St. Petersburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
St. Petersburg
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
St. Petersburg
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Philadelphia
N/A
St. Petersburg
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
St. Petersburg
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
St. Petersburg
16.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
St. Petersburg
12.4%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 32.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
57.1°F
St. Petersburg
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
48.5 in
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
St. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Philadelphia
55.0%
St. Petersburg
75.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | St. Petersburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Philadelphia
34.5 min
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 26.8 min | St. Petersburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Petersburg leads in median household income at $73,118, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in St. Petersburg. St. Petersburg has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and St. Petersburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Philadelphia, PALos Angeles, CA vs Philadelphia, PAChicago, IL vs Philadelphia, PAHouston, TX vs Philadelphia, PAPhiladelphia, PA vs Phoenix, AZPhiladelphia, PA vs San Antonio, TX