
St. Petersburg is a city on the Gulf of Mexico coast in Pinellas County, Florida. The downtown area has many historic buildings and homes from the late 1800s to early 1900s. It was originally founded by Henry Beadle around 1837 and incorporated as a town in 1892.
It is a city well known for its vibrant arts community and laid-back lifestyle! Setting that all aside we answer a very important question; Is St. Petersburg Florida Safe?
- Is St. Petersburg Florida Safe?
- More About St. Petersburg
- St Petersburg Fun Facts:
- St. Petersburg Awards and Recognition
- The Pros and Cons of living in Petersburg
- What are some suggestions when moving from another state?
- What are the best areas to live in St. Petersburg?
- Tips and tricks of living in St. Petersburg
- Final Thought
Is St. Petersburg Florida Safe?
St Petersburg is known for its vibrant arts community and laid-back lifestyle! It has been named “America’s Safest Beach Town” several times over the past few years! However, crime is higher than the national average, but only slightly.
More About St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg has a total population of 257,0895 and a crime index of 80/100 (higher is worse). And total land area is 55.87 square miles, which includes a water area of 22.96 sq mi and is 0% covered by water.
St. Petersburg weather:
January average high is 70°F, February average high is 72°F.
The warm months are March through October with an average temperature of 76 degrees Fahrenheit (24 Celsius). The wet season lasts from June to September/October and the dry season runs November-May.
St Petersburg Transportation:
If you’re flying into town, St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport is the main airport and it’s located on a barrier island between Madeira Beach and Clearwater. It’s about a twenty minute drive from downtown St. Petersburg and the beaches!
The main roads running through Saint-Petersburg are: Interstate 275, U.S Highway 19 (SR 55), SR603, SR687 and US19 Business Route. And for more information on transportation click here.
St. Petersburg Crime Rate:
The overall crime rate in St. Petersburg is about 50% lower than the national average. St. Petersburg’s crime index is 27% lower than Florida as a whole, and it has an overall safety score of 47 out of 100 points on Neighborhood Scout!
St. Petersburg Education:
Approximately 60 percent of adults hold at least a bachelor’s degree in St. Petersburg, making it an excellent place for higher learning opportunities.
St. Petersburg is a city with an excellent education system, and according to the 2010 census taken by the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), approximately 60% or more adults hold at least bachelor’s degrees in St Pete–making it one great place for educational opportunities!
St. Petersburg Housing:
The housing market in St. Petersburg has experienced a boom and bust cycle, just like the rest of Florida’s real estate markets have. As such, there are many affordable options to choose from if you’re looking for property here!
St. Petersburg Jobs:
There is an unemployment rate of about five percent (higher than average), and the median household income is about $50k (lower than average).
When you’re looking for a city to call home, it pays off in more than just price. St Petersburg has been found by surveyors and researchers alike as one of the most livable cities around with its perfect balance between work life and play time; meaning that not only will your wallet thank me later (we’ve all seen how expensive living can get), but so too will he or she who moves here!
St. Petersburg Cost of Living:
If you’re a budget-conscious individual in search of an affordable city, look no further than St. Petersburg. The cost of living here is about five percent lower when compared with Florida’s average and it will make your life more enjoyable too!
St Petersburg Fun Facts:
It’s only six miles long by three miles wide! And within its borders sits an amusement park known as Adventure Island, home to snooze-inducing waterslides and speedy roller coasters alike! There are also over 30 public parks, which include Bayfront Park and The Pier, where you can catch a free Wednesday night concert in the many summers to come!
St Petersburg’s main business district is called Downtown St. Pete. It also has two major shopping malls– Tyrone Square Mall and WestShore Plaza Shopping Center–and several smaller ones that you can easily spend an afternoon at!
In St Petersburg, you’ll find a vibrant arts community and laid-back lifestyle. There are over 30 public parks as well as Adventure Island–the amusement park within its borders that will make your heart pound with excitement yet slow enough to take in the beauty of its nature too! In addition, Downtown St. Pete is the main business district and two major shopping malls, Tyrone Square Mall and WestShore Plaza Shopping Center.
The city has a thriving art community with many activities for residents of any age. And there are plenty of restaurants throughout downtown where you can find some delicious eats–and they’re open late too!

St. Petersburg Awards and Recognition
- The city has won many awards for its quality of life, including the #11 spot on Livability.com’s list of Top 100 Best Places to Live!
- St Petersburg is Florida’s first city to be recognized as one of the nation’s most livable cities by National Geographic Society in 1993
- According to the Travel US News, the city is one of the top 3 places to visit in Florida
- American Style magazine ranked St. Petersburg as a top midsized city for its vibrant art scene, calling it ‘One of the Best Street Art Cities in the World.’
- CNN ranks it as the seventh-best place to retire.
The Pros and Cons of living in Petersburg
The Pros
- The police are there to keep the peace, and they’re doing an excellent job of it.
- If you’re looking for a neighborhood that is both central and easy access to everything in between, look no further than this one.
- In this place, you can enjoy a range of different restaurants and the local gelato.
- St. Petersburg is a city that has many things to offer, from arts and music to sports.
- Housing is within budget despite being close to great restaurants and shops.
The Cons
- The city has experienced a boom and bust cycle just like Florida’s other real estate markets have–making it one of the most expensive places to live here.
- The city is known for its traffic, which can be very frustrating.
- Crime rates are high in the area because of its close proximity to Tampa Bay and I-275.
- There’s also a lot of homelessness due to lack of jobs, so it might not attract everyone who loves living here!
What are some suggestions when moving from another state?
When you’re relocating from other cities in Florida or outside of it, there are a number of things that you can do to make the transition easier.
First, look for homes that are affordable before you buy it or sign a lease–so always have your budget in mind!
Next, visit St. Petersburg as many times as possible so that you can get familiar with its culture and environment if this is your first time coming here.
Make sure to plan for your transportation since traffic and commuting can be very frustrating at times.
Finally, make sure to enjoy yourself–St Petersburg is a great place with many things to offer!
What are the best areas to live in St. Petersburg?
There are so many different places that you can live in this city depending on what you want from your home!
For example, Beach Drive is great for those who love the beach and want to live in a place that’s close to restaurants.
In addition, The Grand Central District has many shops and food options–making it perfect if you like going out with friends or family members at night.
The Historic Old Northeast is also a great choice if you want to live close to downtown and have easy access to everything in between.
Finally, The North Shore is a place that’s perfect for those looking for homes with large yards–making it the ideal spot for families!
Tips and tricks of living in St. Petersburg
Here are some useful tips and tricks that will make life easier in St. Petersburg:
- If you’re moving to this city during the summertime or winter time, be sure to bring clothes with SPF protection–it’s very sunny compared to other cities in Florida!
- If you’re from a place that’s colder than St. Petersburg, be prepared for the heat and humidity in this city–especially when you go outside during summertime!
- If you have pets at home, It is highly recommended finding pet-friendly housing to make it easier on yourself.
- If your car is not equipped with an anti-theft device, you might want to install one since car theft is very common in this city.
- Look for neighborhoods that are close to grocery stores, shops and restaurants–so you don’t waste time traveling far just to get what you need.
- One of the most dangerous areas to live in or visit is Central Ave–so avoid it if you can.

Final Thought
In conclusion, St. Petersburg is a city that has many things to offer–from amazing beaches and parks, to great restaurants and shopping centers.
It’s definitely worth the price when you consider how close it is from other cities in Florida like Clearwater and Tampa Bay!
So does St. Petersburg sound like your kind of place? I’m sure after reading the blog post, you’ll feel that it’s a great city to live in.
Please consult a licensed real estate agent or appropriate professional
Information changes almost daily. None of the authors, contributors, administrators, or anyone else connected with RealEstateZing, in any way whatsoever, can be responsible for your use of the information contained in or linked from these web pages.