St. Petersburg 86 Exceptional
St. Petersburg Livability #14 ranked city in Florida#346 ranked city in the USARanks better than 98% of areas

St. Petersburg, FL - The Sunshine City

St. Petersburg, FL, known as 'The Sunshine City,' offers a unique blend of vibrant culture and modern urban amenities. Located on the west coast of Florida, St. Petersburg is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Tampa and Clearwater enhance its status as a central point in the region. St. Petersburg's blend of beautiful beaches, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.

St. Petersburg is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Salvador Dalí Museum, the historic Sunken Gardens, and the scenic Fort De Soto Park. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Vinoy Park to the bustling Central Avenue, known for its shopping and dining. St. Petersburg's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from seafood cuisine to international dishes.

Annual events such as the St. Petersburg Grand Prix and the Mainsail Art Festival highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate St. Petersburg's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like the University of South Florida St. Petersburg contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.

The arts and culture scene in St. Petersburg is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Mahaffey Theater and the Morean Arts Center are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in St. Petersburg provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.

St. Petersburg’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Tampa Bay Rays (MLB) and the Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in St. Petersburg include healthcare, education, and tourism, with significant employers such as BayCare Health System and Raymond James Financial driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and bike-sharing programs, making commuting convenient for residents.

Pros and Cons of Living in St. Petersburg

PROS
  • Amenities

    Conveniently located, the area boasts a variety of amenities, including grocery stores, shopping, coffee shops and entertainment options all within walking distance.

  • Commute

    The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.

  • Cost Of Living

    Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.

  • Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

  • Health & Safety

    Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.

CONS
  • Crime

    Reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people, this area may be perceived as an unsafe place to reside. These statistics encompass both violent and property crime rates.

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What's it like Living in St. Petersburg?

St. Petersburg is a highly populated city located in the state of Florida. The city has a population of 264,001 residents. With a population density of 4,267 people per square mile, St. Petersburg is well above the nation's average density level. The majority of St. Petersburg residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and Asian. Single men and women might be happy to hear that in St. Petersburg, only 47% of the population is married. Long commute times to work can be incredibly frustrating, ranking just behind housework on the list of life's annoyances. If you opt to make St. Petersburg your home, your one-way commute time will typically last around 24 minutes, a duration that aligns with the national average commute time of 26 minutes.

Without the right tools, moving to any new town can be very stressful and challenging. Living in St. Petersburg, Florida could be a great experience for anyone who puts in the effort to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. Finding the best places to live in St. Petersburg and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes cost of living, health & safety, employment, housing and other important metrics.

The livability score in St. Petersburg is 86/100 and the city is ranked in the 99th percentile of all cities across America. Clearly, St. Petersburg is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. The cherry on top is that St. Petersburg also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. If we take a closer look at each of the categories on their own, we see that St. Petersburg ranks well for cost of living (A+), education (B) and housing (A+). St. Petersburg does not rank well for the following: crime (F). It might be wise to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

If you're considering living in St. Petersburg, it comes with numerous advantages, particularly in the form of an extensive selection of local amenities. These amenities play a pivotal role in elevating the quality of life within this vibrant community. From easily accessible grocery stores, to conveniently located fitness facilities, a diverse range of dining establishments and a multitude of shopping options, St. Petersburg provides a comprehensive array of resources for its residents. This ensures the effortless fulfillment of your daily needs and creates ample opportunities for relaxation and recreation. The convenience of these local offerings greatly contributes to the overall appeal of the area, making it an enticing destination for those in search of convenience, diversity, and a gratifying lifestyle. If you're contemplating a move, the abundance of local amenities could very well be a defining characteristic of this area. Among the enticing options for fun and exploration in St. Petersburg are: Salvador Dali Museum, Tropicana Field, and The Pier Aquarium.

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The St. Petersburg market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in St. Petersburg is actually affordable. The median home price for St. Petersburg homes is $222,900, which is 33.6% higher than the Florida average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in St. Petersburg, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.7, which is 8.8% higher than the Florida average.

Best Places to Live in and Around St. Petersburg

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Compare St. Petersburg, FL Livability

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      St. Petersburg transportation information

      Statistic St. Petersburg Florida National
      Average one way commute24min27min26min
      Workers who drive to work75.8%79.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool7.9%9.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit2.0%2.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle1.0%0.7%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.7%1.5%2.8%
      Working from home9.8%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The St. Petersburg, FL data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).