Petersburg 61 Average
Petersburg Livability #411 ranked city in Virginia#17,127 ranked city in the USARanks better than 41% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Petersburg

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Taking into account the cost of goods and services like housing, groceries, transportation and utilities, the overall cost of living in this area is well below average.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The majority of amenities are not ideally located within walking distance. To access these amenities, residents may be required to rely on a vehicle or public transit.

  • Commute Commute

    A low commute score could be due to longer-than-average work commutes and the limited availability of public transportation in this area.

  • Crime Crime

    This area reports elevated crime rates per 100,000 individuals, potentially pointing some areas being unsafe for its residents. Stats are based on both property and violent crimes.

  • Employment Employment

    In the employment category, a low score could be attributed to low income levels and high unemployment in the area, suggesting potential difficulties in finding lucrative employment.

What's it like Living in Petersburg?

Petersburg is a mid-sized city located in the state of Virginia. The city has a population of 31,836 people. According to Census, the majority (77%) of Petersburg residents identify as Black or African American followed by 17% White and 1% Asian. All the single ladies and all the single fellas might want to take notice as only 36% of the Petersburg 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 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, relocating to any new area can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Petersburg, Virginia could be a positive experience for anyone who puts in the time 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. The best areas in Petersburg and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from crime, commute, health & safety, employment, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Virginia and national averages.

Petersburg, VA receives 63/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #373 in Virginia and #14,974 in the USA. There are nine total categories that form the livability score. Petersburg ranks well for cost of living (A+) and housing (A) There is at least one category that does not have great scores in Petersburg. The following was graded with a discouraging score: amenities (F), crime (F) and employment (D-).

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Petersburg has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

Petersburg real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Petersburg. Median real estate prices in Petersburg come in at $196,131, which is 54.9% lower than the Virginia average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Petersburg, the home price to income ratio is 3, which is 33.3% lower than the Virginia average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Petersburg

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Petersburg?

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      Petersburg transportation information

      Statistic Petersburg Virginia National
      Average one way commute24min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work74.5%77.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool13.7%9.5%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit2.8%4.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.1%0.4%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.6%2.4%2.8%
      Working from home4.7%4.7%4.6%
      Source: The Petersburg, VA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.