St. Petersburg FL vs Tempe AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
St. Petersburg, FL
Florida · Population: 260,646
- Median HH Income$73,118
- Median Home Price$331,500
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
St. Petersburg
260,646
St. Petersburg +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
St. Petersburg
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
St. Petersburg
43.1
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
St. Petersburg
10.1%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
St. Petersburg
66.2%
St. Petersburg +
Tempe
60.1%
Black
St. Petersburg
19.4%
St. Petersburg +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
St. Petersburg
3.1%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
St. Petersburg
9.3%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
St. Petersburg
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 260,646 | 186,419 | St. Petersburg + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.1 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 66.2% | 60.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| Black | 19.4% | 7.8% | St. Petersburg + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
St. Petersburg
$73,118
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
St. Petersburg
$49,823
St. Petersburg +
Tempe
$42,371
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
St. Petersburg
$65,328
St. Petersburg +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
St. Petersburg
4.9%
St. Petersburg +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
St. Petersburg
11.7%
St. Petersburg +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
St. Petersburg
41.3%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,118 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,823 | $42,371 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | St. Petersburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 16.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
St. Petersburg
$331,500
St. Petersburg +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
St. Petersburg
63.0%
St. Petersburg +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $331,500 | $468,328 | St. Petersburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 41.6% | St. Petersburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Petersburg
324
St. Petersburg +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Petersburg
1453
St. Petersburg +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 450 | St. Petersburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2150 | St. Petersburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Petersburg
32.7%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Petersburg
12.2%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
St. Petersburg
16.6%
Tempe
16.6%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
St. Petersburg
11.1%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
St. Petersburg
12.4%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 16.6% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 18.3% | St. Petersburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Petersburg
N/A
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Petersburg
N/A
Tempe
9.3 in
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 9.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
St. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
St. Petersburg
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, 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 450 in Tempe. St. Petersburg has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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