Saint Paul MN 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)
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
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
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
St. Petersburg
260,646
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Saint Paul
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Median Age
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
St. Petersburg
43.1
Foreign Born
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
St. Petersburg
10.1%
White
Saint Paul
53.2%
St. Petersburg
66.2%
St. Petersburg +
Black
Saint Paul
16.2%
St. Petersburg
19.4%
St. Petersburg +
Asian
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
St. Petersburg
3.1%
Hispanic
Saint Paul
9.1%
St. Petersburg
9.3%
St. Petersburg +
Spanish at Home
Saint Paul
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 260,646 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 43.1 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 10.1% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 53.2% | 66.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Black | 16.2% | 19.4% | St. Petersburg + |
| Asian | 17.9% | 3.1% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 9.1% | 9.3% | St. Petersburg + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Saint Paul
$73,055
St. Petersburg
$73,118
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Income
Saint Paul
$41,594
St. Petersburg
$49,823
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
St. Petersburg
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Saint Paul
4.9%
St. Petersburg
4.9%
Tie
Poverty Rate
Saint Paul
15.8%
St. Petersburg
11.7%
St. Petersburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
St. Petersburg
41.3%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,055 | $73,118 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,594 | $49,823 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $65,328 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.9% | Tie |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 11.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.5% | 41.3% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
St. Petersburg
$331,500
Homeownership Rate
Saint Paul
53.2%
St. Petersburg
63.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,021 | $331,500 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.2% | 63.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
St. Petersburg
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
1992
St. Petersburg
1453
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 324 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1453 | St. Petersburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
St. Petersburg
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
St. Petersburg
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Saint Paul
N/A
St. Petersburg
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
St. Petersburg
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
St. Petersburg
16.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
St. Petersburg
12.4%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | 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
Saint Paul
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
St. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Saint Paul
75.0%
St. Petersburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | St. Petersburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Saint Paul +
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 26.8 min | Saint Paul + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Petersburg leads in median household income at $73,118, while saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 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).
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