St. Petersburg FL vs Wichita KS — 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%
Wichita, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
St. Petersburg
260,646
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
St. Petersburg
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
St. Petersburg
43.1
Wichita
35.7
Wichita +
Foreign Born
St. Petersburg
10.1%
St. Petersburg +
Wichita
10.0%
White
St. Petersburg
66.2%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
St. Petersburg
19.4%
St. Petersburg +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
St. Petersburg
3.1%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
St. Petersburg
9.3%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
St. Petersburg
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 260,646 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.1 | 35.7 | Wichita + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 10.0% | St. Petersburg + |
| White | 66.2% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 19.4% | 9.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
St. Petersburg
$73,118
St. Petersburg +
Wichita
$63,072
Per Capita Income
St. Petersburg
$49,823
St. Petersburg +
Wichita
$35,958
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
St. Petersburg
$65,328
St. Petersburg +
Wichita
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
St. Petersburg
4.9%
St. Petersburg +
Wichita
5.7%
Poverty Rate
St. Petersburg
11.7%
St. Petersburg +
Wichita
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
St. Petersburg
41.3%
St. Petersburg +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,118 | $63,072 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,823 | $35,958 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $61,860 | St. Petersburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 15.9% | St. Petersburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 30.9% | St. Petersburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
St. Petersburg
$331,500
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
St. Petersburg
63.0%
St. Petersburg +
Wichita
58.4%
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $331,500 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 58.4% | St. Petersburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Petersburg
324
St. Petersburg +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Petersburg
1453
St. Petersburg +
Wichita
2174
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 449 | St. Petersburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2174 | St. Petersburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Petersburg
32.7%
St. Petersburg +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Petersburg
12.2%
St. Petersburg +
Wichita
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
Wichita
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
St. Petersburg
11.1%
St. Petersburg +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
St. Petersburg
16.6%
Wichita
15.4%
Wichita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
St. Petersburg
12.4%
St. Petersburg +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 39.5% | St. Petersburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.6% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 17.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.9% | St. Petersburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 15.4% | Wichita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 16.3% | St. Petersburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Petersburg
N/A
Wichita
57.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Petersburg
N/A
Wichita
32.6 in
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 32.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
St. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg +
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
St. Petersburg
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Wichita, KS | 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
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Petersburg leads in median household income at $73,118, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, St. Petersburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. 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, St. Petersburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs St. Petersburg, FLLos Angeles, CA vs St. Petersburg, FLChicago, IL vs St. Petersburg, FLHouston, TX vs St. Petersburg, FLPhoenix, AZ vs St. Petersburg, FLPhiladelphia, PA vs St. Petersburg, FL