St. Petersburg FL vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
St. Petersburg
260,646
St. Petersburg +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
St. Petersburg
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
St. Petersburg
43.1
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
St. Petersburg
10.1%
St. Petersburg +
Waco
9.8%
White
St. Petersburg
66.2%
St. Petersburg +
Waco
54.0%
Black
St. Petersburg
19.4%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
St. Petersburg
3.1%
St. Petersburg +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
St. Petersburg
9.3%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
St. Petersburg
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 260,646 | 141,925 | St. Petersburg + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.1 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 9.8% | St. Petersburg + |
| White | 66.2% | 54.0% | St. Petersburg + |
| Black | 19.4% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.0% | St. Petersburg + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
St. Petersburg
$73,118
St. Petersburg +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
St. Petersburg
$49,823
St. Petersburg +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
St. Petersburg
$65,328
St. Petersburg +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
St. Petersburg
4.9%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
St. Petersburg
11.7%
St. Petersburg +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
St. Petersburg
41.3%
St. Petersburg +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,118 | $51,468 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,823 | $28,819 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $63,758 | St. Petersburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 24.0% | St. Petersburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 28.6% | St. Petersburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
St. Petersburg
$331,500
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
St. Petersburg
63.0%
St. Petersburg +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $331,500 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 48.9% | St. Petersburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Petersburg
324
St. Petersburg +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Petersburg
1453
St. Petersburg +
Waco
2339
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 442 | St. Petersburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2339 | St. Petersburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Petersburg
32.7%
St. Petersburg +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Petersburg
12.2%
St. Petersburg +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
St. Petersburg
11.1%
St. Petersburg +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
St. Petersburg
16.6%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
St. Petersburg
12.4%
St. Petersburg +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 36.8% | St. Petersburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.0% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 20.4% | St. Petersburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 20.4% | St. Petersburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.1% | St. Petersburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Petersburg
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Petersburg
N/A
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
St. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
St. Petersburg
75.0%
St. Petersburg +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | St. Petersburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Petersburg leads in median household income at $73,118, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, St. Petersburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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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