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D

Is St. Petersburg, Florida Safe?

Population 264,033 · Safer than 15% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate above the national average, St. Petersburg faces real safety challenges. It earns a D grade and ranks below 85% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,874 per 100K.

St. Petersburg Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricSt. PetersburgFlorida AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate456.4326.8363.8
Property Crime Rate2265.12070.61,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate324.0--268.2
Theft Rate1874.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate214.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyD

272.2 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD

456/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2265/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for St. Petersburg

Violent crime in St. Petersburg is above the national average. The rate of 456.4 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2265.1 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,874 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Assault is notable at 324 per 100K, above the national 268.2.

St. Petersburg Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault324
01.2x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery80
01.3x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary279
01.0x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,874
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft214
067% of avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How St. Petersburg Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

St. Petersburg
456.4
State
326.8
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

St. Petersburg
2265.1
State
2070.6
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About St. Petersburg Safety

Is St. Petersburg safe?
Not especially. St. Petersburg earns a D with a crime rate of 272.2 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs above the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in St. Petersburg?
272.2 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 456.4 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2265.1 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is St. Petersburg safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. St. Petersburg's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,874 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in St. Petersburg?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in St. Petersburg generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the St. Petersburg police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in St. Petersburg?
Crime rates have held steady in St. Petersburg, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its D grade.
How does St. Petersburg compare to other cities in Florida?
Below average for the state. St. Petersburg ranks behind about 93% of Florida cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is St. Petersburg to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is above the national average. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in St. Petersburg?
Bad. A D grade and 272.2 per-thousand rate put St. Petersburg below 85% of US cities. Violent crime at 456 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in St. Petersburg?
456.4 per 100,000, which is 25% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (324), robbery (80), and murder (4.0) per 100,000.

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View all Florida city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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