Richmond VA 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)
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
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
Richmond
227,595
St. Petersburg
260,646
St. Petersburg +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
St. Petersburg
43.1
Foreign Born
Richmond
8.6%
St. Petersburg
10.1%
St. Petersburg +
White
Richmond
43.2%
St. Petersburg
66.2%
St. Petersburg +
Black
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
St. Petersburg
19.4%
Asian
Richmond
2.1%
St. Petersburg
3.1%
St. Petersburg +
Hispanic
Richmond
10.3%
Richmond +
St. Petersburg
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 260,646 | St. Petersburg + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 43.1 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 10.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| White | 43.2% | 66.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Black | 42.0% | 19.4% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 9.3% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$62,671
St. Petersburg
$73,118
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$44,249
St. Petersburg
$49,823
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
St. Petersburg
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
6.0%
St. Petersburg
4.9%
St. Petersburg +
Poverty Rate
Richmond
18.8%
St. Petersburg
11.7%
St. Petersburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
St. Petersburg
41.3%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,671 | $73,118 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,249 | $49,823 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $65,328 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.9% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 11.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 41.3% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$374,265
St. Petersburg
$331,500
St. Petersburg +
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
43.5%
St. Petersburg
63.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $374,265 | $331,500 | St. Petersburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.5% | 63.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
240
Richmond +
St. Petersburg
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
1726
St. Petersburg
1453
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 324 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1453 | St. Petersburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
36.7%
St. Petersburg
32.7%
St. Petersburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.3%
St. Petersburg
12.2%
St. Petersburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
18.8%
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
St. Petersburg
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
16.2%
Richmond +
St. Petersburg
16.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
St. Petersburg
12.4%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 32.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 12.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.6% | St. Petersburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 11.1% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.6% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.4% | St. Petersburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.9°F
St. Petersburg
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
43.6 in
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
St. Petersburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, VA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | St. Petersburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
| Metric | Richmond, VA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 26.8 min | Richmond + |
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, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 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). For overall health outcomes, St. Petersburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Richmond, VALos Angeles, CA vs Richmond, VAChicago, IL vs Richmond, VAHouston, TX vs Richmond, VAPhoenix, AZ vs Richmond, VAPhiladelphia, PA vs Richmond, VA