City comparison
St Petersburg is safer than Oklahoma City. St Petersburg's crime index is 165 versus 183 in Oklahoma City, and its violent crime index is 167 versus 197, using 2023 FBI data for St Petersburg, 2024-2025 for Oklahoma City.
Oklahoma City is cheaper. Median rent is $1,130 a month versus $1,663 in St Petersburg.
The cost gap between Oklahoma City and St Petersburg is the real story here. Oklahoma City comes in 32% cheaper on typical rent ($1,130 vs $1,663), which over a year adds up to $6,396. Median household income runs $68,656 in Oklahoma City and $75,192 in St Petersburg.
This is a genuine split. Oklahoma City wins on cost of living and St Petersburg wins on the job market and safety. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Oklahoma City at $1,130 average has pockets that run $930 and others at $1,530: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Oklahoma City and St Petersburg are 1,014 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City to $1,663 a month in St Petersburg, up $533 a month (47%).
Median household income goes from $68,656 in Oklahoma City to $75,192 in St Petersburg, up $6,536 (10%).
The crime index goes from 183 in Oklahoma City to 165 in St Petersburg, down 18 points (10%).
The move
St Petersburg and Oklahoma City are 1,014 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,663 a month in St Petersburg to $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City, down $533 a month (32%).
Median household income goes from $75,192 in St Petersburg to $68,656 in Oklahoma City, down $6,536 (9%).
The crime index goes from 165 in St Petersburg to 183 in Oklahoma City, up 18 points (11%).
Oklahoma City, OK
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
St Petersburg, FL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Oklahoma City and St Petersburg? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
32% cheaper
Oklahoma City rent is 32% cheaper than St Petersburg
Oklahoma City
Winner$1,130/mo
St Petersburg
$1,663/mo
Typical rent runs $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City versus $1,663 in St Petersburg, so Oklahoma City is 32% cheaper. That's roughly $533/month back in your pocket ($6,396/year). Over five years that's $31,980 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in St Petersburg, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Oklahoma City is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in St Petersburg? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
10% higher
St Petersburg's median income is 10% higher than Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
$68,656
St Petersburg
Winner$75,192
Median household income is $75,192 in St Petersburg versus $68,656 in Oklahoma City, so typical pay runs 10% higher in St Petersburg (about $6,536 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
10% lower crime
St Petersburg's crime index is 10% lower than Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
183 (100 = avg)
St Petersburg
Winner165 (100 = avg)
St Petersburg's crime index is 165 versus 183 in Oklahoma City (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 10% lower in St Petersburg. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in St Petersburg, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Oklahoma City. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Oklahoma City and St Petersburg are about even on typical weather.
Oklahoma City
66°F avg · 75°F highs · comfort 100/100
St Petersburg
75°F avg · 80°F highs · comfort 100/100
Oklahoma City averages about 66°F (75°F highs); St Petersburg averages about 75°F (80°F highs). Oklahoma City sits near 66°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. St Petersburg sits near 75°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 32% cheaper here at about $1,130 a month. Choose Oklahoma City if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
St Petersburg is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 10% higher here ($75,192). Start with St Petersburg if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
St Petersburg is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 10% lower than Oklahoma City (165 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
Housing separates these metros first: $1,130/month in Oklahoma City versus $1,663 in St Petersburg. Median income reads $68,656 in Oklahoma City and $75,192 in St Petersburg, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Oklahoma City rent at $1,130/month is still below St Petersburg's $1,663, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $75,192 in St Petersburg versus $68,656 in Oklahoma City.
If housing cost drives your move, Oklahoma City is the stronger match ($1,130/month rent against $1,663). If an employer or family tie already points to St Petersburg, treat $1,663/month rent and $75,192 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Oklahoma City and St Petersburg, plus other cities in OK and FL.
