Tampa, FL Relocation Guide (2026)
Cost of living, housing, and income data for Tampa, sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Salary needed to live in Tampa →
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.
Tampa's population is about 388,768. On income, the typical household clears $66,802 a year, running roughly in line with the median household income across the cities we cover (-7%).
Expect a median home value of $333,200 in Tampa, which runs roughly in line with what we see across other cities (+2%). Median rent lands at $1,422/month — a useful baseline before comparing mortgage payments to rent.
At roughly 5.0 times median income, Tampa's home values sit in a balanced range compared to the cities we track. Tampa's home prices climbed 1.66% over the past year — steady appreciation without signs of overheating. Natural-hazard exposure in Tampa is rated Relatively High by FEMA, on the elevated end — something to check with insurers before buying.
Personal Affordability Check
Renting at $1,422/mo in Tampa would take 25.5% of your income.
$248/mo under the 30% guideline.
Buying the median home ($333,200) would take 32.0% of your income toward principal & interest.
$220/mo over the 28% guideline.
Cost of housing in Tampa
Median home value is $333,200 and median gross rent is $1,422/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.
FHFA's county-level home price index for Hillsborough rose 1.66% over the past year (as of 2025).
HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in the surrounding county is $1,977/month.
Climate & home insurance
FEMA rates Tampa's overall natural-hazard risk as Relatively High. Risk level is a major driver of home insurance premiums.
Safety
Tampa reported a violent crime rate of 333.2 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data.
Moving to Tampa
Planning a move to Tampa? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.
Cost estimates for moving between Tampa and nearby popular destinations:
- Moving from Tampa to Miami
- Moving from Tampa to Orlando
- Moving from Tampa to Jacksonville
- Moving from Tampa to New York
- Moving from Tampa to Dallas
- Moving from Tampa to Charlotte
- Moving from Tampa to Boston
- Moving from Tampa to Philadelphia
- Moving from Tampa to Chicago
- Moving from Tampa to Detroit
- Moving from Tampa to Minneapolis
Frequently asked questions
- What is the cost of living in Tampa, FL?
- Housing drives most of the cost-of-living picture in Tampa — median home value of $333,200, median rent of $1,422/month — set against a median household income of $66,802 (US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022)).
- How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Tampa?
- At Tampa's median rent of $1,422/month, the 30%-of-income guideline suggests an annual income around $56,880 to stay comfortably housed. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for Tampa.
- Is it better to rent or buy in Tampa?
- Buying at Tampa's median home value of $333,200 takes about $76,234 a year in principal-and-interest income (20% down, 30-year fixed, current mortgage rates), compared with roughly $56,880 a year to comfortably rent at the median $1,422/month. Down payment and expected length of stay usually settle the question.
- Is Tampa safe?
- The most recent FBI figures (2025) show a violent crime rate of 333.2 per 100,000 residents in Tampa.
See the full salary breakdown for Tampa →
Compare Tampa to similar cities
- Miami vs Tampa: Cost of Living & Housing Comparison
- Orlando vs Tampa: Cost of Living & Housing Comparison
- Jacksonville vs Tampa: Cost of Living & Housing Comparison
- Tampa vs New York: Cost of Living & Housing Comparison
- Dallas vs Tampa: Cost of Living & Housing Comparison
- Charlotte vs Tampa: Cost of Living & Housing Comparison
Cities with a similar cost of living
Matched on median rent and household income within 15% of Tampa's.