Is Tampa expensive to live in?

Tampa is on the pricier side of the 50 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,324 per month ranks #19 of 50 and is 8% higher than the $1,223 median.

What is the average rent in Tampa?

Average rent in Tampa, FL runs a studio around $1,242, a one-bedroom around $1,324, a two-bedroom around $1,673, a three-bedroom around $1,729 per month (US Census ACS).

How much do you need to earn to live in Tampa?

To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,324 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $53,000 a year. The median household income here is $71,302.

How much does it cost to live in Tampa per month?

A rough monthly baseline for one person in Tampa is about $1,500 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

An aerial view of a city with tall buildings — Tampa, FL

Cost of Living in Tampa, FL

Population 384,959 · Florida

~$1,500/mo est.1BR $1,324Home $375,300

Photo: Edgar Cotto / Unsplash

Compare with:

The cost of living in Tampa, FL is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $1,324 a month — 8% higher than the $1,223 median across the 50 large US cities we track. Studios average $1,242 and two-bedrooms $1,673.

Median household income here is $71,302, 6% lower than the $75,900 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $1,500 before food and transport. Florida has no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax.

Rent1BR $1,324

Studio

$1,242

1 Bedroom

$1,324

2 Bedroom

$1,673

3 Bedroom

$1,729

Buying a Home$375,300

Median Home Value

$375,300

Income$71,302

Median Household Income

$71,302

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,940

Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).

GroceriesSouth

Milk (gal)

$4.16

Bread (lb)

$1.73

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.56

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

Bananas (lb)

$0.61

Average prices, South (BLS, 2026-04-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

Utilities14.9¢/kWh

Electricity

14.9¢/kWh

Natural Gas

$23.62/MCF

Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-03-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Gas$4.25/gal

Regular Gasoline (Florida)

$4.25/gal

EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-05-25.

Public Transit$2.00

Base Fare (HART)

$2.00

Adult base one-way fare on the primary agency (2026).

State Taxes (FL)6% sales

State Sales Tax

State Income Tax (top rate)

None

State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.

Crime443.4 violent

Violent Crime (per 100k/yr)

443.4

Property Crime (per 100k/yr)

1,473.2

FBI Crime Data Explorer, Tampa Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.

People & LifestyleAge 35.6 yrs

Median Age

35.6 yrs

Homeownership

50.2%

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.6%

Avg Commute

24.7 min

Climate73.4°F

Avg Annual Temperature

73.4°F

Annual Precipitation

46.3 in

Tampa cost of living — FAQ

Is Tampa expensive to live in?: Tampa is on the pricier side of the 50 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,324 per month ranks #19 of 50 and is 8% higher than the $1,223 median.
What is the average rent in Tampa?: Average rent in Tampa, FL runs a studio around $1,242, a one-bedroom around $1,324, a two-bedroom around $1,673, a three-bedroom around $1,729 per month (US Census ACS).
How much do you need to earn to live in Tampa?: To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,324 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $53,000 a year. The median household income here is $71,302.
How much does it cost to live in Tampa per month?: A rough monthly baseline for one person in Tampa is about $1,500 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Compare Tampa with nearby cities

Tampa vs Jacksonville Tampa vs Atlanta Tampa vs New Orleans Tampa vs Charlotte Tampa vs Raleigh Tampa vs Nashville

Nearby cities

Jacksonville, FL 172 mi Atlanta, GA 417 mi New Orleans, LA 481 mi Charlotte, NC 512 mi Raleigh, NC 585 mi Nashville, TN 621 mi

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.