St. Petersburg (a.k.a St. Pete) is a city located in Pinellas County, FL, and it’s one of the most popular cities in Florida, right behind Tampa. Both Clearwater and St. Petersburg are part of the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater Metropolitan Statistical area.
The nickname for St. Petersburg is “The Sunshine City” because it broke the world record for the most consecutive days of sunshine. With its affordable cost of living and downright gorgeous weather, this city is a common destination for retirement. Sitting on the coast, you will get a beautiful ocean view from anywhere in the city.
St. Petersburg was founded in 1888 and then incorporated on February 29th, 1892. But then June 6th, 1903, the city was reincorporated, and the beachfront destination saw dramatic growth.
Being known as one of the best places to live, St. Petersburg is popular for all things outdoors: boating, fishing, golfing, the beach, and paddle boarding.
Some of the most notable and well-known people from St. Petersburg, FL, are the following:
Mike Alstott: As a former football player for the NFL, Mike played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for 12 seasons before retiring.
Rolando Arrojo: As a retired MLB pitcher for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Colorado Rockies, and Boston Red Sox, Rolando was one of the great baseball players during his time.
Nicole Haislett: Born in St. Petersburg, FL, Nicole was known as a “water baby” and became a three-time Olympic gold medalist.
Hank Green: As John Green’s brother, Hank has become an internet celebrity through the educational youtube channel: Crash Course.
City Population & Demographics
St. Petersburg’s population is 264,001, and the city is part of the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater Metropolitan Statistical area.
For the demographics of St. Petersburg, here is a breakdown:
- 69% White
- 18.9% African American
- 6.75% Hispanic
- 2.21% Asian
- 3.17% Biracial
- Gender Breakdown: 51.5% female and 48.5% male
- 10.6% Foreign-Born Population
- Median Age: 44
- Educational Attainment: 92.7% graduate high school, and 37.1% of people in St. Petersburg has their bachelor’s Degree
- Median Household Income: $61,631 per year
While there are a wide range of different ancestries within Florida, here are the top three breakdowns.
European: German, Irish, English.
Hispanic: Puerto Rican, Cuban, Mexican.
Asian: Filipino, Indian, Vietnamese.
Cost of Living in St. Petersburg
Living in St. Petersburg is cheaper than the national average by 1.4%. With the no income tax, limited property tax, and lower sales tax, this city is an affordable place to call home, especially if you’re on a budget.
Numbeo does a great job at breaking down some of the most common everyday expenses, so you can get a better idea of what to expect before moving to St. Petersburg, FL.
St. Petersburg Typical Living Expenses:
- Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant $15.00
- Domestic Beer (1 pint draught) $4.75
- Milk (regular, 1 gallon) $3.70
- Bread (1 loaf) $2.32
- Oranges (1 lb) $2.66
- Apples (1 lb) $2.21
- Beef Round (1 lb) $6.50
- Chicken Fillets (1 lb) $5.33
- Eggs (regular, 12) $3.62
- Average Cost of Gasoline per gallon $4.33
- Fitness Club (Per Month, 1 Adult) $41.14
- Average Stockton utilities per month: $222
Incomes, Sales & Property Taxes in St. Petersburg, FL
- State Sales Tax: 6%
- Income Tax: 0%
- County Tax: 1%
- Average Property Tax Rate In St. Petersburg: $6.76 per $1,000 (locked-in price- can’t go higher than this according to a law passed by the City Council).
St. Petersburg Real Estate
St. Petersburg is one of the best places to call home and a perfect place to raise a family. With safe neighborhoods, beautiful weather, and gorgeous beaches, this city is a one-of-a-kind option.
The median house is getting sold for $380,000, and the prices are close to 30%. Depending on the cost of the home, the price/sq.ft can differ, but on average, it will be around $335. There are so many breathtaking homes for sale in this paradise. Click here to see them.
The housing market in St. Petersburg is competitive, and homes are getting sold in an average of 11 days.
If you’re not interested in buying a place, there are plenty of apartments you can rent. There is everything from low-income options all the way to luxury, and you can expect to pay between $1,660 to $3,150+ per month.
Out of the residents, 63.5% own a home in St. Petersburg. The houses are affordable and a great option to invest in real estate, plus the neighborhoods are very desirable.
St. Petersburg Neighborhoods | Where to Live in St. Pete
Some of the best neighborhoods in Florida are in St. Petersburg. They are safe, family-friendly, reliable, and the place you want to call home. Here are some of the most popular choices for neighborhoods:
Historic Kenwood
If you’re looking for an artsy neighborhood, the Historic Kenwood is the ideal place! There are brick streets, art studios, bungalows, a wide variety of restaurants, and an LGBTQ-supportive community. You will find a home here.
The homes in this neighborhood are on the more pricer side for Florida, but they are still a great price compared to other states like New York and California. When it comes to the median home price, you can expect to pay around $509,000.
Historic Old Northeast
The majority of places for sale in the Historic Old Northeast neighborhood are a combination of condos and single-person houses. This neighborhood has luxury homes that are getting priced at an average of $1,000,000.
If you like contemporary and modern style, cottages, or charming places that remind you of your childhood home, you will find all of these in this breathtaking neighborhood.
Many of these places are waterfront or a short drive/walk to the ocean, so you can expect to spend most days in the beautiful water.
Crescent Lake
Crescent Lake is the type of neighborhood that everyone wants to join. From the beautiful lake where you can enjoy a picnic surrounded by banyan trees, all the way to the local amenities and restaurants, you will fall in love with this community.
The median house is getting sold for around $688,000. While there aren’t as many homes for sale, the ones for sale are the picture of paradise.
Snell Isle
Snell Isle is a small neighborhood that provides a suburban feel and has a breathtaking ocean view and pockets of land often seen as “islands.” This neighborhood is like the Beverly Hills of St. Petersburg with its high-end, luxury, and incredible homes. The median home price is $1,400,000. It is a family-friendly environment and an extremely safe neighborhood.
Historic Roser Park
With a mixture of American architectural styles like Prairie homes and bungalows, Historic Roser Park is a “small-town neighborhood” that provides a unique and one-of-a-kind experience while enjoying the tree-lined streets.
The average house is getting priced at $876,000. While there aren’t any homes currently on the market, they are selling quickly, so make sure to continue to keep a close eye on the available homes if you want to move to the Historic Roser Park.
Historic Uptown
With the artwork, beautiful historic homes, a high bike-ability score, and convenience to local amenities like restaurants and bars, the Historic Uptown is a great place to call home.
You can expect to pay an average price of $545,000 for a home, and there are plenty of options and styles for sale. If you’re looking for a fun neighborhood, then look no further because the Historic Uptown is the place for you!
St. Petersburg Weather/Climate
The weather in Florida is unpredictable because one moment, it could be raining, and then 10 minutes later, the sun is shining, and the birds are chirping.
In general, you can expect the temperatures in the spring and summer months (April-August) to range from 81 degrees as high as 90 degrees. Then in the fall and winter months (September-March), you can see the temperature be as high as 89 and as low as 72 degrees.
The spring and summer months are hot and rainy, whereas the fall and winter are cool and windy. It is essential to mention that from June 1st through November 30th is the designated hurricane season. Hurricanes can occasionally happen outside that time of year, so if you’re planning on moving to St. Petersburg, FL, make sure to plan ahead of time and have the necessary supplies on hand.
St. Pete Places to Eat
The food scene in St. Petersburg, FL, is one-of-a-kind. Here are some of the top places you need to try first!
Red Mesa Cantina
There might be Taco Tuesdays in other parts of the world, but when you have Red Mesa Cantina, every day is Taco Tuesday here in St. Petersburg.
With a blend of Latin and Caribbean traditions, you will only taste bold, fresh flavors. And being an award-winning restaurant, Red Mesa Cantina is the place to try first!
Red Mesa Cantina, 128 3rd St S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, (727) 896-8226
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Noble Crust
When you take authentic Italian cooking and mix it with Southern ingredients, what do you get? Well, it’s simple. You get Noble Crust! Locally grown ingredients and dishes made with farm-fresh flavors, you will taste the difference!
Noble Crust, 8300 4th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33702, (727) 329-6041
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Stillwaters Tavern
Classic American dishes, unique flavors, and one-of-a-kind experiences are the three phrases to describe the Stillwaters Tavern. If you haven’t tried it yet, add it to your bucket list today1
224 Beach Dr NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, (727) 350-1019
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Things to Do in St. Petersburg
There are a lot of fun activities to do in the city of St. Petersburg, FL. Whether you enjoy shopping, hitting the top-rated attractions, spending time in nature, or visiting an art museum, there is something for everyone in this community.
Here are some of the best places to check out in St. Petersburg!
Top Attractions
Sunken Gardens: This gorgeous botanical garden has thousands of plants to enjoy and a butterfly exhibit. It’s been around for over a century, and still to this day, it’s one of the top places for individuals and families to spend their weekends exploring.
St. Pete Pier: With 26 acres of beautiful oceanfront land, St. Pete Pier is a hotspot any time of the day. In addition to the beach, you can join the experience by checking out the marketplace, eating, drinking, and even joining a concert. This place has something for all ages, so spend time in the sun this summer and head to the Pier!
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Clearwater Marine Aquarium: The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is on a mission to help rescue, rehab, and release sea animals back into the ocean. They have rescued 1,600+ sea turtles and have released 850+ animals back into the ocean.
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John’s Pass: Known as a historic fishing area, John’s Pass has grown into a tourist location fitted with shops, restaurants, bars, and a beautiful place to walk.
Outerlife Studios- Escape Room St Pete: Are you ready to test your escaping skills? As the number one immersive adventure, you will find yourself having to work together as a team to solve fun and challenging clues so you can escape in time!
North Shore Aquatic Complex: Beat the heat this summer at the North Shore Aquatic Complex! With a slide, designated separate splash, and training sections, you will enjoy spending your days here!
Hatchet Hangout- Axe Throwing St Pete: With different axe throwing games to try, this place is a great option to hang out with friends and chill.
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Entertainment & Art
Morean Arts Center: If you like contemporary art that shows both local and international artists, you need to check out Morean Arts Center!
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Florida CraftArt: As a nonprofit, Florida CraftArt works hard to promote local artists and support their passions.
freeFall Theatre: You will find offbeat productions along with new musicals performed at freeFall Theatre.
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Duke Energy Center For The Arts- Mahaffey Theater: If you’re looking for an elegant theatre that offers orchestras, musicals, and live performances, this place is for you!
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Museums
The Florida Holocaust Museum: The Holocaust was a terrible time in history. This museum is to bring awareness and tell the stories of those who survived and those who passed away.
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The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art: You will find everything from contemporary Western and wildlife paintings, sculptures, and jewelry. Its mission is to educate and inspire people through pieces of art.
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Imagine Museum: Contemporary Glass Art: Every piece of art in this museum is made out of glass. And its focus is on the contemporary style through color and motion. When you look at the variety of glass sculptures, you will see that each tells a story.
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Museum of Fine Arts: With exhibits as old as 4,000 years, you will see a wide variety of African, European, and American art.
Parks & Outdoors
Sawgrass Lake Park: With wildlife observation and a mile-long trail, the Sawgrass Lake Park is a great place to spend the day as a family.
Vinoy Park: This 11+ acre park is all open green space and is known as one of the best waterfront areas in Downtown St. Petersburg.
Skyway Fishing Pier State Park: If you love to fish, then the Skyway Fishing Pier State Park is perfect for you! With 24/7 access, you have the opportunity to stay from sunrise to sunset.
War Veterans Memorial Park: This park has monuments that honor soldiers and the sacrifices that they gave to help keep this country safe.
Shopping
Tyrone Square: You can find everything you love about the mall at Tyrone Square: food courts, endless stores, and even a movie theatre!
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Sundial St. Pete: Sundial St. Pete is more than just a mall. It’s known as a premier destination with upscale stores and cafes!
Northeast Park Shopping Center: You can find everything from local grocery stores like Publix to restaurants, gyms, and departmental stores in Northeast Park Shopping Center!
Top St. Pete Beaches
Upham Beach Park: When you’re not surfing or relaxing on the perfect white sandy beach at Upham Beach Park, you’ll likely be able to see dolphins!
Gandy Beach Mangroves: Gandy Beach Mangroves is the best location for all things water-related: paddle boarding, kayaking, and fishing.
St. Pete Beach Access: Walking on the boardwalk, exploring the sand dunes, and swimming in the warm ocean are all great things to do individually or as a family!
North Beach At Fort DeSoto Park: When you visit the North Beach at Fort DeSoto Park, you need to check out the tidal pool and search for sand dollars. If you have kids, then also make sure to check out the pirate-themed playground area!
Utilities/Driver License Change of Address
When you’re moving to a new area, rather than getting overwhelmed trying to figure out all the utility providers, we’re breaking down everything you need to know.
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- St. Petersburg Electric: Tampa Electric: Start service with Tampa Electric: 813-635-1500
- St. Petersburg Gas: TECO Peoples Gas: Start service with TECO: (727) 826-3333
- St. Petersburg Water & Trash: City of St. Petersburg: Start service with the City of St. Petersburg: (727) 893-7341
- St. Petersburg Internet: Spectrum, Frontier, Verizon, and Xfinity
- DMV: Call to schedule an appointment (727) 464-7777
According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, you have 30 days to update your title of registration AND your driver’s license with the change of address.
You can change your address online or in person, but if you need to update your name in addition to the change of address (let’s say you got married), you need to go in person.
Sports
When you think of Florida and sports, the first team you think of is the Miami Dolphins from the NFL or the Orlando Magic for the NBA, but there are some local sports teams to the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater Metropolitan area: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from the NLF and Tampa Bay Rays from the MLB.
You can catch a home game for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Raymond James Stadium, and for the Tampa Bay Rays, you can find them playing at the Tropicana Field.
Transportation
If you plan on utilizing the public transportation for St. Petersburg, FL, you will be using Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority. The reliable form of city transportation allows you to check the bus schedules and even locate where your bus is in real-time on the app, “Real-Time Bus Information.” That way, you can plan accordingly and never miss another bus again.
Another great option to get around St. Petersburg without a car or without relying on public transportation is looking at investing in an eco-friendly electric bike (e-bike). There are some great brands out there, but the number one option for the area is Pedego Electric Bikes.
The average commute time to work in St. Petersburg, FL, is 23 minutes.
Crime
While St. Petersburg, FL, has a higher overall crime rate than the national average, there are plenty of safe, family-friendly, and trustworthy neighborhoods, just like in any other state.
Your chances of becoming a victim of a crime are 1 in 26 per 100,000 people. These stats come from the FBI website. The murder rate is 1 in 6 per 100,000 people, and then the number of rapes per year is sitting at 125. When it comes to the property crime rate, your chances of becoming a victim is 1 in 31 per 100,000 people.
While no one should have to go through these types of crimes, it’s essential to know that this is considered a low amount compared to other major cities in the United States.
According to the City of St. Petersburg Police Department, the annual crime report shows that the majority of crimes have decreased over the last year. As we mentioned earlier, St. Petersburg is still a beautiful and safe place to move to and live in, especially with a family.
There are a total of 552 full-time police officers with the SPPD committed to serving and protecting the people of this community!
Economy
Over the last couple of years, St. Petersburg, FL, has been focusing on small businesses and helping them grow and expand to provide more local jobs to the residents. While 2020 was an off-year for the entire world for economics, things are looking up as tourism, hospitality, and other common industries are back to hiring more employees.
The city of St. Petersburg is known as one of the best places for entrepreneurs, and they’ve put together a plan that outlines their plans to take the local economy to the next level. Click here to learn more.
Healthcare
Before moving to a new place, it’s essential to ensure that they have the adequate medical care you need. In St. Petersburg, there are plenty of incredible and state-of-the-art hospitals and medical facilities here to help keep you going strong! Based on U.S. News Health, here are the top 3 hospitals in the city!
HCA Florida Northside Hospital
HCA Florida Northside Hospital is unique because they have 288 beds allowing them to treat more people at once and a large variety of specialties. They have a grade “A” for patient safety, recognized by the Society of Cardiothoracic Surgeons, and a gold plus high-quality award from the American Heart Association.
Contact Information
- Address: HCA Florida Northside Hospital, 6000 49th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33709
- Phone Number: (727) 521-4411
- Specialties: Cardiology, emergency care, imaging, neurological, occupational medicine, orthopedic care, palliative care, physical therapy and rehabilitation, surgery, and urology.
St. Anthony’s Hospital
With more than 90 years of providing health care, St. Anthony’s Hospital is an exceptional and one-of-a-kind team of medical leaders. In addition to their specialties, they offer primary care, emergency care, labs, and imaging.
Contact Information
- Address: St. Anthony’s Hospital, 1200 7th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33705
- Phone Number: (727) 825-1100
- Specialties: Allergies, back and neck health, weight management, behavioral health, breast health, cancer, dermatology, diabetes, ENT (eye, nose, & throat), gynecology, hearing health, cardiology, infectious diseases, maternity, neuroscience, orthopedics, ophthalmology, palliative care, podiatry, rheumatology, pulmonary & respiratory, sleep disorders, surgery, urology, and wound care.
HCA Florida St. Petersburg Hospital
The mission of HCA Florida St. Petersburg Hospital is to provide personalized care while listening to understand your needs better. Here are a few of the awards they have won throughout the years.
Contact Information
- Address: HCA Florida St. Petersburg Hospital, 6500 38th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33710
- Phone Number: (727) 384-1414
- Specialties: Emergency, imaging, infusion therapy, oncology, orthopedic, physical therapy & rehabilitation, surgery, urology, and women’s care.
Jobs in St. Petersburg
The average salary in St. Petersburg, FL, is $65,000 per year, which equates to $17.79 per hour. When it comes to the trends in wages, that is up 2.5%, and the cost of living is down 7%.
Here are some of the best companies to work at in St. Petersburg, FL.
Jabil: With its headquarters located in St. Petersburg, FL, Jabil is worldwide, and it’s known as being one of the largest companies in this area.
Raymond James: With over 8,000 financial advisors and 3 million client accounts, Raymond James provides the best and most sophisticated financial services out there!
First Advantage (FADV): The team at First Advantage provides comprehensive background checks that give employers peace of mind about the people they’re hiring.
If you’re looking for a job with the city of St. Petersburg, FL, click here. If you’re looking for a job in St. Petersburg, check out Indeed.
St. Petersburg Schools
St. Petersburg is part of the Pinellas County School District and is above average. Most of the time, the student-to-teacher ratio will be 14:1, so the teacher can provide adequate support to each student. Here are a few of the schools that are a part of the district.
If you’re interested in attending college, here are some of the universities closest to St. Petersburg:
- St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus
- St. Petersburg College (community college)
- University of South Florida St. Petersburg Campus
- University of Tampa
The most popular degree concentration for a bachelor’s degree in St. Petersburg is Environmental Studies. Depending on if you attend a private or a public college, it can increase the price dramatically. For example, a private university averages around $47,000 per year, whereas the in-state tuition is a median of $6,100 per year.
St. Petersburg Statistics & Information
- Square Miles: 135.49
- County: Pinellas
- Zip Codes: 33701-33705, 33710, 33712-33713, 33715
- Area Code: (727)
- Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST) and Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
- The Closest Airport: The closest airport to St. Petersburg, FL would be St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport which is 12.6 miles away.
- Elevation: 44 feet above sea level
Living in St. Petersburg Pros & Cons
- Pro: No state income tax
- Pro: A safe and family-friendly community
- Pro: Plenty of fun activities to do on the weekend
- Con: There are hurricanes
- Con: The weather can change all throughout the day
Are you interested in moving to the beautiful St. Petersburg, FL? 2 College Brothers are here to help! We are an award-winning team of professionals that will always provide you grade-a service! Call us today at (813) 922-1528 to receive a free estimate!
