City comparison
Yes. Tampa's crime index is 93 versus 165 in St Petersburg, and its violent crime index is 112 versus 167, using 2024-2025 FBI data for Tampa and 2023 FBI data for St Petersburg.
St Petersburg is cheaper. Median rent is $1,663 a month versus $1,701 in Tampa.
Safety is where Tampa and St Petersburg split most clearly. Tampa scores 72 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,701 in Tampa and $1,663 in St Petersburg.
This is a genuine split. Tampa wins on the job market and safety and St Petersburg wins on cost of living. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The crime gap is citywide. Tampa has rougher pockets and St Petersburg has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Tampa and St Petersburg are 14 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,701 a month in Tampa to $1,663 a month in St Petersburg, down $38 a month (2%).
Median household income goes from $75,475 in Tampa to $75,192 in St Petersburg, down $283 (under 1%).
The crime index goes from 93 in Tampa to 165 in St Petersburg, up 72 points (77%).
The move
St Petersburg and Tampa are 14 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,663 a month in St Petersburg to $1,701 a month in Tampa, up $38 a month (2%).
Median household income goes from $75,192 in St Petersburg to $75,475 in Tampa, up $283 (under 1%).
The crime index goes from 165 in St Petersburg to 93 in Tampa, down 72 points (44%).
Tampa, FL
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 Tampa and St Petersburg? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
2% cheaper
St Petersburg rent is 2% cheaper than Tampa
Tampa
$1,701/mo
St Petersburg
Winner$1,663/mo
Typical rent runs $1,663 a month in St Petersburg versus $1,701 in Tampa, so St Petersburg is 2% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $38, or $456 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Tampa? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
1% higher
Tampa's median income is 1% higher than St Petersburg
Tampa
Winner$75,475
St Petersburg
$75,192
Median household income is $75,475 in Tampa versus $75,192 in St Petersburg, so typical pay runs 1% higher in Tampa (about $283 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
44% lower crime
Tampa's crime index is 44% lower than St Petersburg
Tampa
Winner93 (100 = avg)
St Petersburg
165 (100 = avg)
Tampa's crime index is 93 versus 165 in St Petersburg (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 44% lower in Tampa. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Tampa is the easier city. St Petersburg can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Tampa and St Petersburg are about even on typical weather.
Tampa
75°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
St Petersburg
77°F avg · 82°F highs · comfort 100/100
Tampa averages about 75°F (83°F highs); St Petersburg averages about 77°F (82°F highs). Tampa sits near 75°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. St Petersburg sits near 77°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
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Tampa is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 1% higher here ($75,475). Start with Tampa if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Tampa is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 44% lower than St Petersburg (93 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 St Petersburg
St Petersburg is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 2% cheaper here at about $1,663 a month. Choose St Petersburg if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Bottom line
Safety is the widest gap: Tampa scores 62/100 versus 45/100 in St Petersburg. Rent is $1,701/month in Tampa and $1,663/month in St Petersburg, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
With only $38 separating typical rent, run both offer letters before housing cost alone picks the city.
Median income is $75,475 in Tampa versus $75,192 in St Petersburg.
Tampa is ahead on safety (62/100 vs 45/100); St Petersburg is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,663/month rent plus $75,192 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
Ready to move to Tampa?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Tampa when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Tampa and St Petersburg, plus other cities in FL.
