CCCityCheck
SafetyCostCitiesProvidersSearch

Tampa vs St. Petersburg: Full Comparison

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

Quick Answer

St. Petersburg is 3% more expensive than Tampa. Tampa is 10% safer. Tampa population: 413,554. St. Petersburg population: 264,033.

Which city is better for you?

Cost of LivingTampa
SafetyTampa
HousingTampa

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

Cost of Living: Tampa vs St. Petersburg

Tampa 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.

CategoryTampaSt. 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: Tampa vs St. Petersburg

Tampa is 10% safer overall, with a crime rate of 22.7 per 1,000 residents vs St. Petersburg's 25.1. Tampa earns a B- safety grade compared to St. Petersburg's C+. Based on 2023 FBI data.

B-

Tampa

Florida

Overall GradeB-
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate22.7/1K
TrendImproving
C+

St. Petersburg

Florida

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC
Property CrimeC+
Crime Rate25.1/1K
TrendStable
MetricTampaSt. Petersburg
Overall Crime Rate22.7/1K25.1/1K
Violent Crime Rate436.9476.2
Property Crime Rate1835.02031.1
Murder Rate8.35.9
Assault Rate301.7356.1
Robbery Rate111.780.6
Burglary Rate293.5245.6
Theft Rate1136.01713.8
Vehicle Theft Rate330.9196.1

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

Victim Odds

In Tampa, you have a 1 in 44 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 40 in St. Petersburg.

Climate Comparison

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

Tampa Climate Overview

Annual High82.4°F
Annual Low64.8°F
Annual Rain46.3"
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 Tampa cheaper than St. Petersburg?
Tampa 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 Tampa vs $2,456/mo in St. Petersburg.
Is Tampa safer than St. Petersburg?
Tampa is 10% safer overall, with a crime rate of 22.7 per 1,000 residents vs St. Petersburg's 25.1. Tampa earns a B- safety grade. Based on 2023 FBI data.
Should I move to Tampa or St. Petersburg?
It depends on your priorities. Tampa is safer (B- grade). Tampa is more affordable (index 105 vs 108). Tampa has a population of 413,554 and St. Petersburg has 264,033. Consider job market, culture, and proximity to family alongside these data points.
How big is Tampa compared to St. Petersburg?
Tampa has a population of 413,554 and St. Petersburg has 264,033. Tampa is 57% larger by population.
Is housing cheaper in Tampa or St. Petersburg?
Housing is cheaper in Tampa. Estimated monthly housing costs: Tampa $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

B-
Tampa 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.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety, cost of living, climate, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities