Cost of Living in Tampa, FL

Population 393,389 · Florida · Data vintage 2023

122
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Tampa lands reasonably close to national benchmarks on most cost indicators, with a median home value of $375,000 — 23% above the US figure. That makes it a useful reference point for comparing with more extreme markets in Florida.

Cost Overview

Housing 123
Rent 119

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Tampa

The median home value in Tampa is $375,300 — 23% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,567/month, 19% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $71,302/year is 4% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.7%, below the national average of 4.8%. Florida charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 83.0°F and lows of 66.1°F. Overall, Tampa has a cost of living index of 122 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 22% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$375,300
23% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$369,078
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,567/mo
19% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,968/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.0x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.9%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,085
1 BR
$1,181
2 BR
$1,427
3 BR
$1,797
4 BR
$2,099
Owner-occupied 50.2%
Renter-occupied 49.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,567
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,181/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
26.9 min
0% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
19.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
66.0%
Carpooled
8.2%
Public transit
1.3%
Walked
2.3%
Bicycle
0.8%
Work from home
19.3%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None
Total Sales Tax 7.0%
State rate 6.0%
Avg local rate 1.1%
Property Tax 0.9%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$71,302
4% below avg
Per Capita Income
$49,513
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
2% below avg
Poverty Rate
15.9%
Labor Force Participation
66.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 26.3%
Graduate degree 18.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 35.6
Male median age 35.6
Female median age 35.6

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
83.0°F
Avg Low
66.1°F
Annual Precip
49.5"
Annual Snowfall
0"
50° 63° 75° 88° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 717478838891919190867974
Low °F 535659657175777775696156
Precip" 2.652.622.522.552.607.377.759.036.092.341.402.56

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 51 — Moderate
42.7%
Good air days/yr
114
Max AQI recorded
261
PM2.5 days
102
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

90%
4-Year Graduation Rate
16.5:1
Student-teacher ratio
300
Public schools
223,305
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Tampa, FL?

Tampa has a cost index of 122 (100 = national average). It is 22% above the national average.

What is average rent in Tampa, FL?

The median gross rent in Tampa is $1,567 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Tampa?

The median home value in Tampa is $375,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Tampa?

The median household income in Tampa is $71,302 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Tampa, FL?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Tampa is 7.0%. Florida has no state income tax.

Is Tampa, FL affordable?

Tampa is above average in cost of living, with an index of 122 — about 22% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Tampa?

Tampa has average high temperatures of 83.0°F and average lows of 66.1°F. Annual precipitation is 49.5". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.