City comparison
No. St Petersburg's crime index is 165 versus 166 in St Paul, and its violent crime index is 167 versus 160, using 2024-2025 FBI data for St Paul and 2023 FBI data for St Petersburg.
St Paul is cheaper. Median rent is $1,281 a month versus $1,663 in St Petersburg.
Climate is the sharpest divide between St Paul and St Petersburg. St Paul averages 50°F while St Petersburg averages 77°F, a difference that affects utility bills, outdoor lifestyle, and how you feel nine months of the year. Rent runs $1,281 versus $1,663.
St Petersburg is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. St Paul makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone St Petersburg is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. St Paul at $1,281 average has pockets that run $1,081 and others at $1,681: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
St Paul and St Petersburg are 1,309 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,281 a month in St Paul to $1,663 a month in St Petersburg, up $382 a month (30%).
Median household income goes from $73,394 in St Paul to $75,192 in St Petersburg, up $1,798 (2%).
The crime index goes from 166 in St Paul to 165 in St Petersburg, down 1 points (1%).
The move
St Petersburg and St Paul are 1,309 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,663 a month in St Petersburg to $1,281 a month in St Paul, down $382 a month (23%).
Median household income goes from $75,192 in St Petersburg to $73,394 in St Paul, down $1,798 (2%).
The crime index goes from 165 in St Petersburg to 166 in St Paul, up 1 points (1%).
St Paul, MN
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 St Paul and St Petersburg? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
23% cheaper
St Paul rent is 23% cheaper than St Petersburg
St Paul
Winner$1,281/mo
St Petersburg
$1,663/mo
Typical rent runs $1,281 a month in St Paul versus $1,663 in St Petersburg, so St Paul is 23% cheaper. That's roughly $382/month back in your pocket ($4,584/year). Over five years that's $22,920 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, St Paul 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
2% higher
St Petersburg's median income is 2% higher than St Paul
St Paul
$73,394
St Petersburg
Winner$75,192
Median household income is $75,192 in St Petersburg versus $73,394 in St Paul, so typical pay runs 2% higher in St Petersburg (about $1,798 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
1% lower crime
St Petersburg's crime index is 1% lower than St Paul
St Paul
166 (100 = avg)
St Petersburg
Winner165 (100 = avg)
St Petersburg's crime index is 165 versus 166 in St Paul (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 1% 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 St Paul. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
72% more comfortable
St Petersburg weather is 72% more comfortable than St Paul
St Paul
50°F avg · 57°F highs · comfort 58/100
St Petersburg
Winner77°F avg · 82°F highs · comfort 100/100
St Paul averages about 50°F (57°F highs); St Petersburg averages about 77°F (82°F highs). St Paul averages around 50°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. St Petersburg sits near 77°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. St Petersburg scores 72% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose St Paul if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to St Paul
St Paul is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 23% cheaper here at about $1,281 a month. Choose St Paul 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 plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 2% higher ($75,192), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 77°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
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 1% lower than St Paul (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
On weather alone, St Petersburg is the warmer market (77°F) and St Paul the cooler (50°F). Typical leases run $1,663 and $1,281; choose the climate you will tolerate year-round, not just on a visit weekend.
St Petersburg still pays more locally ($75,192 median income vs $73,394), which can offset the lease if your field pays St Petersburg rates.
Median income is $75,192 in St Petersburg versus $73,394 in St Paul.
Most movers who prioritize climate land in St Petersburg; St Paul only makes sense when 50°F matches how you want to live year-round.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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