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Orlando vs St. Petersburg: Full Comparison

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

Quick Answer

St. Petersburg is 3% more expensive than Orlando. St. Petersburg is 3% safer. Orlando population: 333,888. St. Petersburg population: 264,033.

Which city is better for you?

Cost of LivingOrlando
SafetySt. Petersburg
HousingOrlando

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

Cost of Living: Orlando vs St. Petersburg

Orlando is more affordable overall, with a cost of living index of 105 vs 108 (national average = 100). That's a difference of 3 index points.

CategoryOrlandoSt. Petersburg
Overall Index105108
Housing$2,314/moIndex: 130$2,456/moIndex: 138
Groceries$418/moIndex: 102$418/moIndex: 102
Transportation$357/moIndex: 102$357/moIndex: 102
Healthcare$320/moIndex: 100$320/moIndex: 100
Utilities$224/moIndex: 102$224/moIndex: 102

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

Safety: Orlando vs St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg is 3% safer overall, with a crime rate of 25.1 per 1,000 residents vs Orlando's 26. St. Petersburg earns a C+ safety grade compared to Orlando's C+. Based on 2023 FBI data.

C+

Orlando

Florida

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeC+
Crime Rate26/1K
TrendDeclining
C+

St. Petersburg

Florida

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC
Property CrimeC+
Crime Rate25.1/1K
TrendStable
MetricOrlandoSt. Petersburg
Overall Crime Rate26/1K25.1/1K
Violent Crime Rate366.0476.2
Property Crime Rate2230.72031.1
Murder Rate5.45.9
Assault Rate307.5356.1
Robbery Rate67.880.6
Burglary Rate356.8245.6
Theft Rate1794.71713.8
Vehicle Theft Rate555.7196.1

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

Victim Odds

In Orlando, you have a 1 in 38 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 40 in St. Petersburg.

Climate Comparison

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

Orlando Climate Overview

Annual High83.2°F
Annual Low62.9°F
Annual Rain50.6"
Annual SnowNone
Comfortable Months8
Best MonthNovember
Worst MonthAugust
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ComfortableWarm

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Orlando cheaper than St. Petersburg?
Orlando is 3% more affordable than St. Petersburg, with a cost of living index of 105 vs 108 (100 = national average). Housing is the biggest difference, at $2,314/mo in Orlando vs $2,456/mo in St. Petersburg.
Is Orlando safer than St. Petersburg?
St. Petersburg is 3% safer overall, with a crime rate of 25.1 per 1,000 residents vs Orlando's 26. St. Petersburg earns a C+ safety grade. Based on 2023 FBI data.
Should I move to Orlando or St. Petersburg?
It depends on your priorities. St. Petersburg is safer (C+ grade). Orlando is more affordable (index 105 vs 108). Orlando has a population of 333,888 and St. Petersburg has 264,033. Consider job market, culture, and proximity to family alongside these data points.
How big is Orlando compared to St. Petersburg?
Orlando has a population of 333,888 and St. Petersburg has 264,033. Orlando is 26% larger by population.
Is housing cheaper in Orlando or St. Petersburg?
Housing is cheaper in Orlando. Estimated monthly housing costs: Orlando $2,314/mo vs St. Petersburg $2,456/mo. That's based on a housing index of 130 vs 138 (100 = national average of $1,780/mo).

Learn More About Each City

C+
Orlando 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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