City comparison
No. St Petersburg's crime index is 165 versus 236 in Tulsa, and its violent crime index is 167 versus 257, using 2024-2025 FBI data for Tulsa and 2023 FBI data for St Petersburg.
Tulsa is cheaper. Median rent is $1,052 a month versus $1,663 in St Petersburg.
The cost gap between Tulsa and St Petersburg is the real story here. Tulsa comes in 37% cheaper on typical rent ($1,052 vs $1,663), which over a year adds up to $7,332. Median household income runs $59,838 in Tulsa and $75,192 in St Petersburg.
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. Tulsa 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. Tulsa at $1,052 average has pockets that run $852 and others at $1,452: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Tulsa and St Petersburg are 964 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,052 a month in Tulsa to $1,663 a month in St Petersburg, up $611 a month (58%).
Median household income goes from $59,838 in Tulsa to $75,192 in St Petersburg, up $15,354 (26%).
The crime index goes from 236 in Tulsa to 165 in St Petersburg, down 71 points (30%).
The move
St Petersburg and Tulsa are 964 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,663 a month in St Petersburg to $1,052 a month in Tulsa, down $611 a month (37%).
Median household income goes from $75,192 in St Petersburg to $59,838 in Tulsa, down $15,354 (20%).
The crime index goes from 165 in St Petersburg to 236 in Tulsa, up 71 points (43%).
Tulsa, 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 Tulsa and St Petersburg? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
37% cheaper
Tulsa rent is 37% cheaper than St Petersburg
Tulsa
Winner$1,052/mo
St Petersburg
$1,663/mo
Typical rent runs $1,052 a month in Tulsa versus $1,663 in St Petersburg, so Tulsa is 37% cheaper. That's roughly $611/month back in your pocket ($7,332/year). Over five years that's $36,660 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, Tulsa 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
26% higher
St Petersburg's median income is 26% higher than Tulsa
Tulsa
$59,838
St Petersburg
Winner$75,192
Median household income is $75,192 in St Petersburg versus $59,838 in Tulsa, so typical pay runs 26% higher in St Petersburg (about $15,354 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. Tulsa can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
30% lower crime
St Petersburg's crime index is 30% lower than Tulsa
Tulsa
236 (100 = avg)
St Petersburg
Winner165 (100 = avg)
St Petersburg's crime index is 165 versus 236 in Tulsa (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 30% lower in St Petersburg. 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, St Petersburg is the easier city. Tulsa can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
9% more comfortable
St Petersburg weather is 9% more comfortable than Tulsa
Tulsa
62°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 92/100
St Petersburg
Winner77°F avg · 82°F highs · comfort 100/100
Tulsa averages about 62°F (69°F highs); St Petersburg averages about 77°F (82°F highs). Tulsa averages around 62°F. St Petersburg sits near 77°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. St Petersburg scores 9% 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 Tulsa 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 Tulsa
Tulsa is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 37% cheaper here at about $1,052 a month. Choose Tulsa 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 26% 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 30% lower than Tulsa (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
St Petersburg runs $1,663/month while Tulsa sits at $1,052 — roughly 37% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is St Petersburg-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Tulsa rent at $1,052/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 $59,838 in Tulsa.
Between Tulsa and St Petersburg, Tulsa is ahead on housing cost — $1,052/month rent against $1,663. Lean St Petersburg instead when your $75,192 income offer in St Petersburg outweighs saving $611/month in Tulsa.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Tulsa and St Petersburg, plus other cities in OK and FL.
