Seattle WA 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)
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
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
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
St. Petersburg
260,646
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Seattle
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Median Age
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
St. Petersburg
43.1
Foreign Born
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
St. Petersburg
10.1%
White
Seattle
61.8%
St. Petersburg
66.2%
St. Petersburg +
Black
Seattle
6.6%
St. Petersburg
19.4%
St. Petersburg +
Asian
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
St. Petersburg
3.1%
Hispanic
Seattle
8.2%
St. Petersburg
9.3%
St. Petersburg +
Spanish at Home
Seattle
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Seattle, WA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 260,646 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 43.1 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 10.1% | Seattle + |
| White | 61.8% | 66.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Black | 6.6% | 19.4% | St. Petersburg + |
| Asian | 17.2% | 3.1% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 8.2% | 9.3% | St. Petersburg + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
St. Petersburg
$73,118
Per Capita Income
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
St. Petersburg
$49,823
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
St. Petersburg
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
St. Petersburg
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
St. Petersburg
11.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
St. Petersburg
41.3%
| Metric | Seattle, WA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $121,984 | $73,118 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $82,508 | $49,823 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $65,328 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.9% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 11.7% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 67.5% | 41.3% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Seattle
$871,599
St. Petersburg
$331,500
St. Petersburg +
Homeownership Rate
Seattle
44.3%
St. Petersburg
63.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Seattle, WA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $871,599 | $331,500 | St. Petersburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 63.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Seattle
383
St. Petersburg
324
St. Petersburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Seattle
3409
St. Petersburg
1453
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Seattle, WA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 324 | St. Petersburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1453 | St. Petersburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
St. Petersburg
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
St. Petersburg
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
St. Petersburg
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
St. Petersburg
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Seattle
19.0%
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
St. Petersburg
12.4%
| Metric | Seattle, WA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 32.7% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 12.2% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.3% | 16.6% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 11.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 16.6% | St. Petersburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 12.4% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Seattle
52.6°F
St. Petersburg
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Seattle
37.5 in
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Seattle, WA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
St. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Seattle
75.0%
St. Petersburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Seattle, WA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | St. Petersburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Seattle
28.8 min
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Seattle, WA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 26.8 min | St. Petersburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, 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 383 in Seattle. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and St. Petersburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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