City comparison
Yes. St Petersburg's crime index is 165 versus 169 in Richmond, and its violent crime index is 167 versus 122, using 2023 FBI data for St Petersburg and 2024-2025 FBI data for Richmond.
Richmond is cheaper. Median rent is $1,372 a month versus $1,663 in St Petersburg.
The income gap between St Petersburg and Richmond is significant: $75,192 median household versus $64,587. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,663 in St Petersburg and $1,372 in Richmond.
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. Richmond 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. Richmond at $1,372 average has pockets that run $1,172 and others at $1,772: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
St Petersburg and Richmond are 732 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,663 a month in St Petersburg to $1,372 a month in Richmond, down $291 a month (17%).
Median household income goes from $75,192 in St Petersburg to $64,587 in Richmond, down $10,605 (14%).
The crime index goes from 165 in St Petersburg to 169 in Richmond, up 4 points (2%).
The move
Richmond and St Petersburg are 732 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,372 a month in Richmond to $1,663 a month in St Petersburg, up $291 a month (21%).
Median household income goes from $64,587 in Richmond to $75,192 in St Petersburg, up $10,605 (16%).
The crime index goes from 169 in Richmond to 165 in St Petersburg, down 4 points (2%).
St Petersburg, FL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Richmond, VA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing St Petersburg and Richmond? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
17% cheaper
Richmond rent is 17% cheaper than St Petersburg
St Petersburg
$1,663/mo
Richmond
Winner$1,372/mo
Typical rent runs $1,372 a month in Richmond versus $1,663 in St Petersburg, so Richmond is 17% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $3,492, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Richmond still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in St Petersburg.
Planning to buy in St Petersburg? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
16% higher
St Petersburg's median income is 16% higher than Richmond
St Petersburg
Winner$75,192
Richmond
$64,587
Median household income is $75,192 in St Petersburg versus $64,587 in Richmond, so typical pay runs 16% higher in St Petersburg (about $10,605 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, St Petersburg is the stronger labor market on paper. Richmond can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
2% lower crime
St Petersburg's crime index is 2% lower than Richmond
St Petersburg
Winner165 (100 = avg)
Richmond
169 (100 = avg)
St Petersburg's crime index is 165 versus 169 in Richmond (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 2% 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 Richmond. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
28% more comfortable
St Petersburg weather is 28% more comfortable than Richmond
St Petersburg
Winner77°F avg · 82°F highs · comfort 100/100
Richmond
57°F avg · 66°F highs · comfort 78/100
St Petersburg averages about 77°F (82°F highs); Richmond averages about 57°F (66°F highs). St Petersburg sits near 77°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Richmond averages around 57°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. St Petersburg scores 28% 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 Richmond if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
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 16% 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 2% lower than Richmond (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.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Richmond
Richmond is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 17% cheaper here at about $1,372 a month. Choose Richmond if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Bottom line
Weather separates these metros: $1,663/month rent in St Petersburg at 77°F versus $1,372 in Richmond at 57°F. Income runs $75,192 vs $64,587, but the daily feel of the move is the temperature gap.
St Petersburg still pays more locally ($75,192 median income vs $64,587), which can offset the lease if your field pays St Petersburg rates.
Median income is $75,192 in St Petersburg versus $64,587 in Richmond.
Most movers who prioritize climate land in St Petersburg; Richmond only makes sense when 57°F matches how you want to live year-round.
Common questions
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for St Petersburg and Richmond, plus other cities in FL and VA.
