St. Petersburg FL vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
St. Petersburg
260,646
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
St. Petersburg
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
St. Petersburg
43.1
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
St. Petersburg
10.1%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
St. Petersburg
66.2%
St. Petersburg +
Washington
39.1%
Black
St. Petersburg
19.4%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
St. Petersburg
3.1%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
St. Petersburg
9.3%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
St. Petersburg
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 260,646 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.1 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 66.2% | 39.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| Black | 19.4% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
St. Petersburg
$73,118
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
St. Petersburg
$49,823
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
St. Petersburg
$65,328
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
St. Petersburg
4.9%
St. Petersburg +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
St. Petersburg
11.7%
St. Petersburg +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
St. Petersburg
41.3%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,118 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,823 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.5% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 14.5% | St. Petersburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
St. Petersburg
$331,500
St. Petersburg +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
St. Petersburg
63.0%
St. Petersburg +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $331,500 | $580,173 | St. Petersburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 41.1% | St. Petersburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Petersburg
324
St. Petersburg +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Petersburg
1453
St. Petersburg +
Washington
1999
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 398 | St. Petersburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1999 | St. Petersburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Petersburg
32.7%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Petersburg
12.2%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
St. Petersburg
16.6%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
St. Petersburg
11.1%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
St. Petersburg
12.4%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 24.0% | St. Petersburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Petersburg
N/A
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Petersburg
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Washington, DC | 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 +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
St. Petersburg
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | St. Petersburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
St. Petersburg +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 32.8 min | St. Petersburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. St. Petersburg has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and St. Petersburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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