Phoenix 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)
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
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
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
St. Petersburg
260,646
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Phoenix
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Median Age
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
St. Petersburg
43.1
Foreign Born
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
St. Petersburg
10.1%
White
Phoenix
53.7%
St. Petersburg
66.2%
St. Petersburg +
Black
Phoenix
7.8%
St. Petersburg
19.4%
St. Petersburg +
Asian
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
St. Petersburg
3.1%
Hispanic
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
St. Petersburg
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Phoenix
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 260,646 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 43.1 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 10.1% | Phoenix + |
| White | 53.7% | 66.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Black | 7.8% | 19.4% | St. Petersburg + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 3.1% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 41.8% | 9.3% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
St. Petersburg
$73,118
Per Capita Income
Phoenix
$40,309
St. Petersburg
$49,823
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Phoenix
$59,120
St. Petersburg
$65,328
St. Petersburg +
Unemployment Rate
Phoenix
5.1%
St. Petersburg
4.9%
St. Petersburg +
Poverty Rate
Phoenix
14.3%
St. Petersburg
11.7%
St. Petersburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Phoenix
32.3%
St. Petersburg
41.3%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,041 | $73,118 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,309 | $49,823 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $65,328 | St. Petersburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.9% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 11.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.3% | 41.3% | St. Petersburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Phoenix
$411,323
St. Petersburg
$331,500
St. Petersburg +
Homeownership Rate
Phoenix
57.1%
St. Petersburg
63.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,323 | $331,500 | St. Petersburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 63.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
450
St. Petersburg
324
St. Petersburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
2150
St. Petersburg
1453
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Phoenix, 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
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
St. Petersburg
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
St. Petersburg
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
St. Petersburg
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
17.3%
St. Petersburg
11.1%
St. Petersburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
St. Petersburg
16.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
St. Petersburg
12.4%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 32.7% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.6% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 11.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.6% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.4% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
72.1°F
St. Petersburg
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
10.8 in
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
St. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Phoenix
75.0%
St. Petersburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Phoenix
27.7 min
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 26.8 min | St. Petersburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 Phoenix. St. Petersburg has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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