San Diego CA 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)
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
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
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
St. Petersburg
260,646
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Diego
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Median Age
San Diego
36.0
San Diego +
St. Petersburg
43.1
Foreign Born
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
St. Petersburg
10.1%
White
San Diego
50.4%
St. Petersburg
66.2%
St. Petersburg +
Black
San Diego
5.7%
St. Petersburg
19.4%
St. Petersburg +
Asian
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
St. Petersburg
3.1%
Hispanic
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
St. Petersburg
9.3%
Spanish at Home
San Diego
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,385,061 | 260,646 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 43.1 | San Diego + |
| Foreign Born | 24.8% | 10.1% | San Diego + |
| White | 50.4% | 66.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Black | 5.7% | 19.4% | St. Petersburg + |
| Asian | 17.6% | 3.1% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
St. Petersburg
$73,118
Per Capita Income
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
St. Petersburg
$49,823
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
St. Petersburg
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
San Diego
5.9%
St. Petersburg
4.9%
St. Petersburg +
Poverty Rate
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
St. Petersburg
11.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
St. Petersburg
41.3%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,321 | $73,118 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,678 | $49,823 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.9% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.1% | 11.7% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.9% | 41.3% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Diego
$1,006,261
St. Petersburg
$331,500
St. Petersburg +
Homeownership Rate
San Diego
47.6%
St. Petersburg
63.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,006,261 | $331,500 | St. Petersburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 63.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
503
St. Petersburg
324
St. Petersburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
2388
St. Petersburg
1453
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | St. Petersburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | St. Petersburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
St. Petersburg
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
St. Petersburg
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
St. Petersburg
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
St. Petersburg
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Diego
16.9%
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
St. Petersburg
12.4%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 32.7% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 12.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 16.6% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.6% | St. Petersburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 12.4% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
61.6°F
St. Petersburg
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
12.3 in
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
St. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Diego
75.0%
St. Petersburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Diego, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | St. Petersburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Diego
25.9 min
San Diego +
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
| Metric | San Diego, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.9 min | 26.8 min | San Diego + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, 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 503 in San Diego. 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, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs San Diego, CALos Angeles, CA vs San Diego, CAChicago, IL vs San Diego, CAHouston, TX vs San Diego, CAPhoenix, AZ vs San Diego, CAPhiladelphia, PA vs San Diego, CA