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Tampa vs St. Petersburg: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Tampa has a crime rate of 22.7 per 1,000 residents vs St. Petersburg's 25.1 per 1,000, making Tampa 10% safer overall. Tampa earns a B- safety grade compared to St. Petersburg's C+. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

B-

Tampa

Florida

Overall GradeB-
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate22.7/1K
Percentile51%
C+

St. Petersburg

Florida

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC
Property CrimeC+
Crime Rate25.1/1K
Percentile45%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

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).

Category Winner Summary

Out of 9 crime categories, Tampa is safer in 5 and St. Petersburg is safer in 4.

Victim Odds Comparison

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

Full Safety Reports

B-
Tampa, Florida Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
C+
St. Petersburg, Florida Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tampa safer than St. Petersburg?
As of 2026, Tampa is 10% safer overall, with a crime rate of 22.7 per 1,000 residents compared to St. Petersburg's 25.1. Tampa earns a B- safety grade vs St. Petersburg's C+. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Tampa or St. Petersburg?
St. Petersburg has more violent crime at 476 per 100,000 residents. Tampa is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Tampa vs St. Petersburg?
Tampa has a crime rate of 22.7 per 1,000 (violent: 437/100K, property: 1835/100K). St. Petersburg has 25.1 per 1,000 (violent: 476/100K, property: 2031/100K).
Should I move to Tampa or St. Petersburg?
From a safety perspective, Tampa has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Tampa (pop. 413,554) and St. Petersburg (pop. 264,033) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Tampa's B- safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Tampa and St. Petersburg compare for property crime?
Tampa has lower property crime at 1835 per 100K vs St. Petersburg's 2031. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

Tampa vs MiamiTampa vs OrlandoTampa vs JacksonvilleSt. Petersburg vs MiamiSt. Petersburg vs Orlando

2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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