Dreaming of coastal living on Florida’s Gulf Coast? You’ll love living in St. Pete Beach, a laid-back barrier island community west of Saint Petersburg known for its powdery white sand and year-round sunshine. Often called part of the “Sunshine City,” this vibrant city is famous for its stunning shoreline, ranked among the best beaches in St. Petersburg, as well as its charming resorts and beach bars.
Originally incorporated in 1957 and named after its larger neighbor across the bay, St. Pete Beach offers easy access to all the parks, arts, and culture of downtown St. Pete. No matter why you are considering moving to St. Pete Beach, this Sunshine State city has a lot to offer.
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Is St Pete Beach a Good Place to Live?
Yes, St. Pete Beach is a good place to live. Living in St. Pete Beach offers easy access to some of the best beaches on the Gulf Coast, classic Sunshine City weather, and a quick commute to Saint Petersburg.
Where Is St Pete Beach?
Where is St. Pete Beach? Located in Pinellas County, Florida, St. Pete Beach sits on a barrier island along the Tampa Bay Area’s stunning Gulf Coast. It’s part of the Saint Petersburg metro and just a short drive from Downtown St. Petersburg, making it easy to enjoy all of the city’s amenities.
Bordered by Treasure Island to the north and Pass-a-Grille Beach to the south, St. Pete Beach offers easy access to other popular spots like Clearwater Beach via Gulf Boulevard. Many Saint Petersburg residents also commute or relocate here for the relaxed beach lifestyle. The city connects to the mainland by the Pinellas Bayway, with the iconic Sunshine Skyway Bridge nearby offering scenic drives toward Tampa and Sarasota.
If you’re moving to St. Pete Beach FL, you’ll find it’s about 30 minutes from Tampa, and just under two hours from Orlando. Public transportation is provided by the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA), which runs bus routes throughout the beaches and into Downtown St. Petersburg.
Does living in St. Pete Beach sound great to you? Give the St Pete Beach movers at 2 College Brothers a call today! Our St. Pete Beach moving company is here for you every step of the way!
St Pete Beach Florida Population & Demographics
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How many people are living in St. Pete Beach? There are 8,832 people living in St. Pete Beach. The area is very popular among retirees, and the median age is 62.2, and 43% of the population is over 65. Residents living in St. Pete Beach are very affluent, with a median household income of $108,931, which is far above the Florida average of $71,711.
Additional St. Pete Beach Demographics:
- Sex ratio: 51% male, 49% female
- Racial & ethnic composition: 93% White (89% non-Hispanic), 4% two or more races, 1% Black or African American, 1% Asian, 1% other race
- Foreign-born population: 13.2%
- Educational attainment: 96.5% high school degree (or higher), 57.2% bachelor’s degree (or higher)
- Notable people from St. Pete Beach: Baseball player Chuck Hiller
Is St Pete Beach safe? Let’s break down the St Pete Beach crime rate:
- Overall crime rate: 2,819 crimes per 100,000 people (24% higher than the national average)
- Violent crime rate: 251 crimes per 100,000 people (31% lower than the national average)
- Property crime rate: 2,568 crimes per 100,000 people (34% higher than national average)
Despite the higher-than-average overall crime rate, living in St. Pete Beach is very safe. Most of the crime in the area is property crime, which is not generally a threat to your safety and can be prevented with the right measures.
When living in St. Pete Beach, you’ll be served by the St. Petersburg Police Department.
St Pete Beach Cost of Living
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Is living in St. Pete Beach affordable? St Pete Beach is one of the more affordable places to live near Tampa. The city has a Cost of Living Index of 102.8, meaning it is just 2.8% more expensive than the national average.
According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four living in St. Pete Beach would need to earn $109,651 to live comfortably in the city. This comes out to $9,138 per month.
Typical St Pete Beach Living Expenses
- Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $19.00
- Cappuccino: $4.91
- Pound of chicken: $6.01
- Gallon of milk: $4.40
- Pound of apples: $2.84
- Gallon of gas: $3.23
- Monthly fitness membership: $29.80
- Average St. Pete Beach utilities per month: $252.36
Source: Numbeo*
*These numbers are for St. Petersburg, but you can expect similar figures when living in St. Pete Beach.
St. Pete Beach real estate is also quite affordable compared to the national average. You can find stunning waterfront homes or cozy condos, all for less than you would spend in places like Tampa or Downtown St. Pete. According to Redfin, the average home price in St. Pete Beach Florida is $410,000, which is lower than the national average of $439,198.
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St. Pete Beach is mostly occupied by homeowners, but you may find a few houses for rent here and there.
Neighborhoods in St Pete Beach | Where to Live in St Pete Beach
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When it comes to living in St. Pete Beach, the city doesn’t have many clearly defined neighborhoods. It’s a small, close-knit barrier island community. Generally, the southern portion of St. Pete Beach is home to more resorts and hotels, offering lively beachfront access, dining, and entertainment, while the northern half is quieter and more residential, perfect for those moving to St. Pete Beach FL in search of peace and Gulf views.
You’ll find plenty of local businesses, beach cafes, and boutique shops along Corey Avenue, plus easy access to the water for boating, paddleboarding, and fishing. Nearby, Crescent Lake and the parks in Saint Petersburg provide more opportunities for outdoor fun, making living in St. Pete Beach ideal for everyone looking for relaxation and adventure.
St Pete Beach Weather & Climate
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What can you expect from the weather when living in St. Pete Beach? The St. Pete Beach climate is classified as humid subtropical, which is typical of Florida’s Gulf Coast. Close to the Sunshine City, the area enjoys warm weather and year-round sunshine, making outdoor living a big part of life here. Summers are hot and humid, with average highs in the upper 80s to low 90s°F, while winters are mild, averaging in the 60s°F.
Rainfall totals about 50 inches annually, mostly from afternoon showers between June and September. Though hurricanes can occasionally affect the region, major storms are infrequent. The best time to visit is from March to May or October to November, when temperatures are comfortable, and skies are clear.
Things to Do in St Pete Beach
Wondering what to do in St. Pete Beach? When living in St. Pete Beach, you can enjoy outdoor adventures at local parks, live music on the water, and of course, beautiful beaches and nature preserves. You can also check out nearby attractions like Clearwater Beach, the Morean Arts Center, and the Sunken Gardens (one of the oldest roadside tourist attractions in the country). When living in St. Pete Beach, you’re close to some of the best museums in Florida and all of the fun things to do in St. Petersburg. Here are a few fun things to do in St. Pete Beach FL.
Upham Beach Park
Upham Beach Park is one of the best things to do in St Pete Beach with kids, offering a white sandy beach backed by dunes.
6850 Beach Plaza, St Pete Beach, FL 33706
St. Pete Beach
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When living in St. Pete Beach, don’t skip out on the city’s namesake beach. TripAdvisor recently named it the number one beach in the U.S., and the number five best beach in the world.
6500 Sunset Way, St Pete Beach, FL 33706
Secret Garden
This beachside park is one of the best family-friendly attractions in St. Pete Beach FL. Head here to enjoy well-maintained benches and BBQ areas.
Gulf of Mexico, St Pete Beach, FL 33706
Additional St Pete Beach Attractions
St Pete Beach Restaurants
After moving to St. Pete Beach FL, you’ll have plenty of great restaurants to explore. From roadside stands with fresh produce to delicious seafood on the beach, St. Pete Beach has a lot to offer. Here are a few of the best restaurants in St Pete Beach.
Shrimpy’s Waterfront
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One of the best places to eat in St Pete Beach, Shrimpy’s offers indoor and outdoor seating, local seafood, and Cajun and Creole dishes.
9524 Blind Pass Rd, St Pete Beach, FL 33706, (727) 575-7222
SKD Kitchen and Drinks
A favorite among locals living in St. Pete Beach, this eatery serves up Greek and Italian dishes like Chicken Souvlaki and Chicken Ala Parmigiana.
5799 Gulf Blvd, St Pete Beach, FL 33706, (727) 360-1029
82 Degrees Bar
Stop by 82 Degrees Bar for a delicious craft cocktail and a well-cooked steak.
7203 Sunset Way, St Pete Beach, FL 33706, (727) 292-0282
St Pete Beach Jobs
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While tourism is the main industry for those living in St. Pete Beach, many residents who aren’t in that industry, especially young professionals, commute to nearby St. Petersburg for work. The city’s strong job market centers on healthcare, finance, and technology.
Major employers include Bayfront Health, Raymond James Financial, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, and the University of South Florida St. Petersburg.
According to Payscale, the average salary in the St. Pete Beach/St. Petersburg area is $74,000.
If you’re searching for a job when living in St. Pete Beach, then check out the city job board or do a quick search on Indeed.
Schools in St Pete Beach
Families living in St. Pete Beach are served by Pinellas County Schools, with local students attending Azalea Elementary School, Madeira Beach Middle School, and Boca Ciega High School.
If you’re looking for private school options, then you can check out nearby institutions like St. Petersburg Catholic High School, Admiral Farragut Academy, and Canterbury School of Florida, all offering strong academic programs.
For higher education, residents living in St. Pete Beach have access to St. Petersburg College, the University of South Florida St. Petersburg, and Eckerd College, each located just a short drive away.
St Pete Beach Statistics & Information
- County: Pinellas County
- St Pete Beach area: 6.97 square miles
- St Pete Beach zip code: 33706
- St Pete Beach area code: 727
- St Pete Beach elevation: 6 feet
- St Pete Beach time zone: Eastern Time Zone (EST), UTC -5 and -4
- Closest airport to St Pete Beach: St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE), 18.4 miles away
Map of St Pete Beach
Are You Ready to Start Living in St Pete Beach?
Does moving to St. Pete Beach FL sound great to you? 2 College Brothers will help you get settled in your new home, so you can get started living in St. Pete Beach in no time. To get started with a free quote, give our St Pete Beach movers a call at (813) 922-1528 today.
