St. Petersburg FL vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
St. Petersburg
260,646
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
St. Petersburg
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
St. Petersburg
43.1
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Foreign Born
St. Petersburg
10.1%
St. Petersburg +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
St. Petersburg
66.2%
St. Petersburg +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
St. Petersburg
19.4%
St. Petersburg +
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Asian
St. Petersburg
3.1%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
St. Petersburg
9.3%
St. Petersburg +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
St. Petersburg
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 260,646 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.1 | 37.4 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 9.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| White | 66.2% | 61.6% | St. Petersburg + |
| Black | 19.4% | 18.9% | St. Petersburg + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 8.9% | St. Petersburg + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
St. Petersburg
$73,118
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
St. Petersburg
$49,823
St. Petersburg +
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
St. Petersburg
$65,328
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
St. Petersburg
4.9%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
St. Petersburg
11.7%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
St. Petersburg
41.3%
St. Petersburg +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,118 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,823 | $47,372 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 40.4% | St. Petersburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
St. Petersburg
$331,500
St. Petersburg +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
St. Petersburg
63.0%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $331,500 | $427,121 | St. Petersburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Petersburg
324
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Petersburg
1453
St. Petersburg +
Virginia Beach
1726
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1726 | St. Petersburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Petersburg
32.7%
St. Petersburg +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Petersburg
12.2%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
Virginia Beach
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
St. Petersburg
11.1%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
St. Petersburg
16.6%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
St. Petersburg
12.4%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 36.5% | St. Petersburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 16.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Petersburg
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Petersburg
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | 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.)
St. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
St. Petersburg
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | St. Petersburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while st. Petersburg offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $331,500. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in St. Petersburg. Virginia Beach 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%.
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