Is Lealman Safe, Pros and cons of living in Lealman

Lealman, Florida, is a census-designated place (CDP) situated in Pinellas County, approximately twenty miles west of Tampa and six miles north of St. Petersburg. This community offers a dense suburban feel, with a majority of residents owning their homes. Lealman is characterized by a mix of residential areas, local businesses, and accessible amenities, making it a distinct locale within the Tampa Bay region.

The area provides a variety of conveniences, including numerous bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks, contributing to its community atmosphere. Many retirees choose to reside in Lealman, and the political leaning of its residents tends to be conservative. The public school system in Lealman is rated as above average, aiming to serve the educational needs of its younger population.

Is it Safe to Live in Lealman?

The crime rate in Lealman is reported to be 21.79 per 1,000 residents annually (according to CrimeGrade.org). While this rate is slightly lower than the average for U.S. cities, it means residents have a chance of being a victim of crime that varies by neighborhood (according to CrimeGrade.org). The southwest part of the city is generally considered the safest, with chances of victimization ranging from 1 in 37 in central neighborhoods to 1 in 59 in the southwest (according to CrimeGrade.org).

Conversely, the northeast parts of Lealman experience the most crime incidents, with approximately 88 per year. In contrast, the northwest part of the city has the fewest, with around 32 crimes annually (according to CrimeGrade.org). The overall cost of crime per resident in Lealman is approximately $265 per year, which is less than the national average (according to CrimeGrade.org).

Cost of Living and Housing

Lealman presents a cost of living that is generally lower than the national average, with a median home value of $196,400 (according to Niche). This median home value is significantly lower than the national median of $332,700 (according to Niche). The median rent in Lealman is also below the national average, standing at $1,247 per month (according to Niche).

The housing market in Lealman is described as balanced, indicating that supply and demand for homes are roughly equal as of March 2026 (according to Redfin). The median listing price for homes in Lealman is $277,300 (according to Redfin). Homes in Lealman tend to sell relatively quickly, with the median days on market decreasing by 5.08% year-over-year (according to Redfin).

Home Prices and Ownership

The median home value in Lealman is $196,400, with an estimated market value running about 9% higher at $213,264 (according to Florida State Authority). This is considerably lower than the Florida median home value of $369,200 (according to Florida State Authority). The homeownership rate in Lealman is 62.9%, which is below the U.S. average of approximately 65% (according to Florida State Authority).

The market temperature for Lealman’s housing is considered warm, with a vacancy rate of 17.6% (according to Florida State Authority). New construction accounts for 6.9% of the housing stock (according to Florida State Authority). Homes in Lealman sell for about 3% below list price on average and go pending in approximately 49 days (according to Redfin).

Rental Market

The median rental price in Lealman is $1,800 per month, with year-over-year price momentum for sale prices at 2.76% (according to Redfin). As of April 2026, the median rent for all bedroom counts and property types in Lealman is $1,575, which is 19% lower than the national average (according to Zumper). A one-bedroom apartment in Lealman averages around $1,295, while a two-bedroom apartment is approximately $1,650 (according to Zumper).

Houses for rent in Lealman are more expensive, with an average monthly cost of $2,497 (according to Zumper). The average rent price in Lealman was $1,600 last month, showing an increase of $25 month-over-month (according to Redfin). The monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Lealman can range from $1,199 to $1,939, with an average of $1,250 (according to ApartmentAdvisor).

Job Market and Economy

The economy in Lealman employs approximately 9,470 individuals. From 2023 to 2024, employment in Lealman saw a decline of 3.29%, with the number of employees decreasing from 9,790 to 9,470 (according to Data USA). The most common industries for residents are Retail Trade, Manufacturing, and Health Care & Social Assistance (according to Data USA).

The most common job groups in Lealman are Sales & Related Occupations, Office & Administrative Support Occupations, and Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (according to Data USA). The average annual salary in Lealman is $55,129, which equates to about $26.50 per hour (according to ZipRecruiter).

Major Employers

While specific major employers within Lealman itself are not detailed, the broader Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metropolitan area features significant companies across various sectors. In St. Petersburg, key industries include financial services, data analytics and technology, specialized manufacturing, marine and life sciences, and creative arts and design (according to St Pete EDC). Major companies in the St. Petersburg area include Raymond James Financial, Jabil, BayCare Health System, and Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital (according to Indeed.com and South Tampa).

These large organizations contribute to the regional job market, offering diverse employment opportunities. Pinellas County Public Schools and Pasco County Government are also significant employers in the wider region (according to Pasco County Largest Employers).

Unemployment

Florida’s unemployment rate for March 2026 was 4.7%, which is higher than the national rate of 4.3% for the same period (according to FloridaJobs.org). This marks a reversal from previous years where Florida’s unemployment rate was often lower than the national average (according to FloridaJobs.org). The total number of Floridians without a job in March was 523,000 out of a workforce of 11.15 million (according to FloridaJobs.org).

Detailed unemployment statistics for Lealman specifically are not readily available. However, the broader Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater Division reported an employment rate of 95.08% (according to BestNeighborhood.org). This suggests a generally stable employment landscape in the immediate vicinity, though the state’s rate indicates a slight upward trend.

Climate and Weather

Lealman experiences a climate characterized by long, hot, oppressive, wet, and mostly cloudy summers, and short, cool, windy, and partly cloudy winters. Throughout the year, temperatures typically range from 56°F to 89°F, rarely falling below 45°F or exceeding 93°F (according to Time and Date). The hot season lasts from mid-May to early October, with daily high temperatures often above 85°F.

The hottest month is typically August, with average highs around 89°F and lows of 79°F (according to Time and Date). The cool season spans from early December to early March, with average daily high temperatures below 73°F. January is the coldest month, with average lows of 56°F and highs of 69°F (according to Time and Date). The average annual rainfall in Lealman is approximately 52 inches (according to Livability.com).

Education

The public schools in Lealman are generally considered above average (according to Niche). However, specific school performance data indicates varied results. Lealman Innovation Academy, serving grades 5-12, ranks within the bottom 50% of all Florida schools based on combined math and reading proficiency (according to Niche). Its math proficiency is at 10%, and reading proficiency is at 7%, significantly lower than the Florida state averages (according to Niche).

In contrast, Lealman Avenue Elementary School, serving PK-5, has shown struggles with academic performance, with only 40-52% of students proficient in ELA and Math in 2024-2025, compared to district averages of 61-68% (according to SchoolDigger). Despite these challenges, the student-teacher ratio at Lealman Innovation Academy is 10:1, which is lower than the Florida state level of 17:1 (according to Niche).

Demographics

Lealman has a population of approximately 20,567 residents (according to Data USA). The racial composition of Lealman is predominantly White, accounting for 61.1% of the population, followed by Hispanic residents at 16.3%, and Black or African American residents at 8.7% (according to Data USA). In 2024, White (Non-Hispanic) residents constituted the largest demographic group, numbering 12,600 (according to Data USA).

The median age in Lealman is 43.6 years, with a median age of 40.8 years for males and 46.6 years for females (according to Data USA). Approximately 16.1% of Lealman residents were born outside the country (according to Data USA). A significant portion of the population, 15.6%, lives below the poverty line, which is higher than the national average of 12.5% (according to Data USA).

Income and Poverty

The median household income in Lealman is $45,308 (according to Data USA). This figure is lower than the national median household income of $80,734 (according to Niche). Households in Lealman with incomes below $25,000 constitute 23% of the total, while 27% fall into the $25,000-$44,000 bracket (according to Niche).

Poverty is a notable concern in Lealman, with 15.63% of the population living below the poverty line (according to Data USA). This rate is considerably higher than the national poverty rate of 12.5% (according to Data USA). The demographic groups most affected by poverty include males aged 55-64, followed by females and males aged 65-74 (according to Data USA).

Pros and Cons of Living in Lealman

Pros

Lealman offers a more affordable cost of living compared to many other areas, particularly regarding housing. The median home value is significantly lower than both the national and state medians (as reported by Niche and Florida State Authority). Rent prices are also below the national average, making it an attractive option for renters (as reported by Zumper).

The community provides a dense suburban feel with essential amenities like bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks readily available. Many residents own their homes, contributing to a stable community environment. The public schools are rated as above average, suggesting a commitment to education within the area (as reported by Niche).

Cons

Crime rates in Lealman, while not exceptionally high compared to some urban centers, are still a consideration. The overall crime rate is 7% higher than the national average, with property crime rates being 9% higher (as reported by AreaVibes). Some neighborhoods experience higher crime than others, requiring awareness of local safety conditions (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

The median household income is considerably lower than the national average, and a higher-than-average percentage of residents live below the poverty line (as reported by Data USA and Niche). Furthermore, specific schools like Lealman Innovation Academy show significantly lower academic performance metrics compared to state averages (as reported by Niche).