Springfield MO 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)
Springfield, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
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
Springfield
169,432
St. Petersburg
260,646
St. Petersburg +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
St. Petersburg
43.1
Foreign Born
Springfield
3.8%
St. Petersburg
10.1%
St. Petersburg +
White
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
St. Petersburg
66.2%
Black
Springfield
4.3%
St. Petersburg
19.4%
St. Petersburg +
Asian
Springfield
1.7%
St. Petersburg
3.1%
St. Petersburg +
Hispanic
Springfield
5.6%
St. Petersburg
9.3%
St. Petersburg +
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MO | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,432 | 260,646 | St. Petersburg + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 43.1 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 10.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| White | 85.2% | 66.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 4.3% | 19.4% | St. Petersburg + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 3.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 9.3% | St. Petersburg + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$45,984
St. Petersburg
$73,118
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$30,864
St. Petersburg
$49,823
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$58,527
St. Petersburg
$65,328
St. Petersburg +
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
St. Petersburg
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Springfield
19.4%
St. Petersburg
11.7%
St. Petersburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
30.3%
St. Petersburg
41.3%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,984 | $73,118 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,864 | $49,823 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $65,328 | St. Petersburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.9% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.4% | 11.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 41.3% | St. Petersburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$245,279
Springfield +
St. Petersburg
$331,500
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
42.9%
St. Petersburg
63.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,279 | $331,500 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.9% | 63.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
501
St. Petersburg
324
St. Petersburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
2418
St. Petersburg
1453
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 324 | St. Petersburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1453 | St. Petersburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
37.7%
St. Petersburg
32.7%
St. Petersburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
St. Petersburg
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
20.0%
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
St. Petersburg
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
15.6%
Springfield +
St. Petersburg
16.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
17.1%
St. Petersburg
12.4%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 32.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.2% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 16.6% | St. Petersburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 11.1% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.6% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 12.4% | St. Petersburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
56.3°F
St. Petersburg
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
45.6 in
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MO | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
St. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
55.0%
St. Petersburg
75.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | St. Petersburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
| Metric | Springfield, MO | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.5 min | 26.8 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Petersburg leads in median household income at $73,118, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,279. On public safety, St. Petersburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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 Springfield, MOLos Angeles, CA vs Springfield, MOChicago, IL vs Springfield, MOHouston, TX vs Springfield, MOPhoenix, AZ vs Springfield, MOPhiladelphia, PA vs Springfield, MO