Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Tampa?

Tampa, FL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,500 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Annapolis, MD's $1,820, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Tampa?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $53,000 in Tampa.

Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Tampa?

Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Tampa under Florida's (no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax).

Annapolis vs Tampa Cost of Living 2026

Annapolis

Maryland

$1,820/mo est.

Tampa

Florida

$1,500/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,820 in Annapolis, MD versus $1,500 in Tampa, FL. Overall, Tampa, FL is roughly 18% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Annapolis, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $104,257 in Annapolis, MD and $71,302 in Tampa, FL — about 32% higher in Annapolis, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Florida has no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax.

Annapolis, MD

Tampa, FL

Rent

Studio

$1,239

$1,242

+0% in Tampa, FL

1 Bedroom

$1,598

$1,324

+17% in Annapolis, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,864

$1,673

+10% in Annapolis, MD

3 Bedroom

$2,232

$1,729

+23% in Annapolis, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$510,200

$375,300

+26% in Annapolis, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$104,257

$71,302

+32% in Annapolis, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$48,940

+17% in Annapolis, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.9 yr

35.6 yr

+5.3 yr in Annapolis, MD

Homeownership

59.8%

50.2%

+9.6 pp in Annapolis, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

53.7%

44.6%

+9.1 pp in Annapolis, MD

Avg Commute

28.7 min

24.7 min

+4.0 min in Annapolis, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

806

443.2

+45% in Annapolis, MD

Property Crime

2,111.5

1,473.2

+30% in Annapolis, MD

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

57.1°F

73.4°F

+16.3°F in Tampa, FL

Annual Precipitation

—

46.3 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.77/gal

+2% in Annapolis, MD

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Florida.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.00

Adult base one-way fare — — vs HART (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

15.2

+30% in Annapolis, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$23.62

+25% in Tampa, FL

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.75

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

Average prices — South vs South (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / FL)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

None

+6.5 pp in MD

Annapolis vs Tampa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Tampa?: Tampa, FL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,500 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Annapolis, MD's $1,820, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Tampa?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $53,000 in Tampa.
Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Tampa?: Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Tampa under Florida's (no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).