Cost of Living in Tallahassee, FL
Population 199,696 · Florida · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Tallahassee's demographic profile reads like a college town: median age of 28, and 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree — a share well above the national baseline. Housing and rent cycles track the academic calendar more than the broader Florida economy. A poverty rate near 23% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Tallahassee
The median home value in Tallahassee is $276,000 — 10% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,238/month, 6% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $55,931/year is 25% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.5%, above the national average of 4.8%. Florida charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. Overall, Tallahassee has a cost of living index of 92 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 8% less expensive.
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Tallahassee, FL?
Tallahassee has a cost index of 92 (100 = national average). It is 8% below the national average.
What is average rent in Tallahassee, FL?
The median gross rent in Tallahassee is $1,238 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Tallahassee?
The median home value in Tallahassee is $276,000 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Tallahassee?
The median household income in Tallahassee is $55,931 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Tallahassee, FL?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Tallahassee is 7.0%. Florida has no state income tax.
Is Tallahassee, FL affordable?
Tallahassee is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 92 (100 = US average).
Tallahassee at a Glance
- Population
- 199,696
- Median Income
- $55,931
- Home Value
- $276,000
- Median Rent
- $1,238/mo
- Unemployment
- 6.5%
- Sales Tax
- 7.0%
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Explore county-level cost of living data
Florida Rankings
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