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Miami vs St. Petersburg: Full Comparison

Updated November 2026 · Cost of living, safety, and climate data

Quick Answer

Miami is 34% more expensive than St. Petersburg. St. Petersburg is 42% safer. Miami population: 489,812. St. Petersburg population: 264,033.

Which city is better for you?

Cost of LivingSt. Petersburg
SafetySt. Petersburg
HousingSt. Petersburg

Based on cost of living indices, FBI crime data, and NOAA climate records.

Cost of Living: Miami vs St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg is more affordable overall, with a cost of living index of 108 vs 145 (national average = 100). That's a difference of 37 index points.

CategoryMiamiSt. Petersburg
Overall Index145108
Housing$4,094/moIndex: 230$2,456/moIndex: 138
Groceries$443/moIndex: 108$418/moIndex: 102
Transportation$385/moIndex: 110$357/moIndex: 102
Healthcare$346/moIndex: 108$320/moIndex: 100
Utilities$220/moIndex: 100$224/moIndex: 102

Index 100 = national average. Dollar amounts are estimated monthly costs. Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities, C2ER Cost of Living Index.

Safety: Miami vs St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg is 42% safer overall, with a crime rate of 25.1 per 1,000 residents vs Miami's 43.5. St. Petersburg earns a C+ safety grade compared to Miami's F. Based on 2023 FBI data.

F

Miami

Florida

Overall GradeF
Violent CrimeC
Property CrimeF
Crime Rate43.5/1K
TrendImproving
C+

St. Petersburg

Florida

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC
Property CrimeC+
Crime Rate25.1/1K
TrendStable
MetricMiamiSt. Petersburg
Overall Crime Rate43.5/1K25.1/1K
Violent Crime Rate550.0476.2
Property Crime Rate3800.02031.1
Murder Rate6.95.9
Assault Rate447.8356.1
Robbery Rate96.080.6
Burglary Rate642.6245.6
Theft Rate2529.91713.8
Vehicle Theft Rate558.7196.1

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Victim Odds

In Miami, you have a 1 in 23 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 40 in St. Petersburg.

Climate Comparison

Climate data is only available for Miami. A full comparison requires both cities.

Miami Climate Overview

Annual High84.6°F
Annual Low71°F
Annual Rain61.7"
Annual SnowNone
Comfortable Months7
Best MonthJanuary
Worst MonthAugust
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ComfortableWarm

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Miami cheaper than St. Petersburg?
St. Petersburg is 34% more affordable than Miami, with a cost of living index of 108 vs 145 (100 = national average). Housing is the biggest difference, at $4,094/mo in Miami vs $2,456/mo in St. Petersburg.
Is Miami safer than St. Petersburg?
St. Petersburg is 42% safer overall, with a crime rate of 25.1 per 1,000 residents vs Miami's 43.5. St. Petersburg earns a C+ safety grade. Based on 2023 FBI data.
Should I move to Miami or St. Petersburg?
It depends on your priorities. St. Petersburg is safer (C+ grade). St. Petersburg is more affordable (index 108 vs 145). Miami has a population of 489,812 and St. Petersburg has 264,033. Consider job market, culture, and proximity to family alongside these data points.
How big is Miami compared to St. Petersburg?
Miami has a population of 489,812 and St. Petersburg has 264,033. Miami is 86% larger by population.
Is housing cheaper in Miami or St. Petersburg?
Housing is cheaper in St. Petersburg. Estimated monthly housing costs: Miami $4,094/mo vs St. Petersburg $2,456/mo. That's based on a housing index of 230 vs 138 (100 = national average of $1,780/mo).

Learn More About Each City

F
Miami Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
C+
St. Petersburg Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
Salary CalculatorClimate Compare ToolSafety Comparison Tool

Safety data: 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities and C2ER Cost of Living Index. Climate: NOAA 30-year normals. Not a substitute for local guidance.

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