St. Petersburg FL vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
St. Petersburg
260,646
St. Petersburg +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
St. Petersburg
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
St. Petersburg
43.1
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
St. Petersburg
10.1%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
St. Petersburg
66.2%
St. Petersburg +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
St. Petersburg
19.4%
St. Petersburg +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
St. Petersburg
3.1%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
St. Petersburg
9.3%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
St. Petersburg
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 260,646 | 205,501 | St. Petersburg + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.1 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 66.2% | 58.0% | St. Petersburg + |
| Black | 19.4% | 12.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
St. Petersburg
$73,118
St. Petersburg +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
St. Petersburg
$49,823
St. Petersburg +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
St. Petersburg
$65,328
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
St. Petersburg
4.9%
St. Petersburg +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
St. Petersburg
11.7%
St. Petersburg +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
St. Petersburg
41.3%
St. Petersburg +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,118 | $67,544 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,823 | $35,825 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.4% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 19.8% | St. Petersburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 34.1% | St. Petersburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
St. Petersburg
$331,500
St. Petersburg +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
St. Petersburg
63.0%
St. Petersburg +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $331,500 | $435,532 | St. Petersburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 42.4% | St. Petersburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Petersburg
324
St. Petersburg +
Worcester
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Petersburg
1453
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 326 | St. Petersburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Petersburg
32.7%
St. Petersburg +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Petersburg
12.2%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
St. Petersburg
11.1%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
St. Petersburg
12.4%
St. Petersburg +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 35.3% | St. Petersburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 19.9% | St. Petersburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 17.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.5% | St. Petersburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Petersburg
N/A
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Petersburg
N/A
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
St. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
St. Petersburg
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
St. Petersburg +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 27.3 min | St. Petersburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Petersburg leads in median household income at $73,118, 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 326 in Worcester. St. Petersburg has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Worcester 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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