Is it cheaper to live in Rutland or Tampa?

Rutland, VT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 25% below Tampa, FL's $1,500, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Rutland versus $53,000 in Tampa.

Which has lower taxes, Rutland or Tampa?

Rutland is taxed under Vermont's rules (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax); Tampa under Florida's (no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax).

Rutland vs Tampa Cost of Living 2026

Rutland

Vermont

$1,120/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 $1,120 in Rutland, VT versus $1,500 in Tampa, FL. Overall, Rutland, VT is roughly 25% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tampa, FL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $55,000 in Rutland, VT and $71,302 in Tampa, FL — about 23% higher in Tampa, FL. Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax; Florida has no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax.

Rutland, VT

Tampa, FL

Rent

Studio

$893

$1,242

+39% in Tampa, FL

1 Bedroom

$856

$1,324

+55% in Tampa, FL

2 Bedroom

$1,097

$1,673

+53% in Tampa, FL

3 Bedroom

$1,207

$1,729

+43% in Tampa, FL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$176,400

$375,300

+113% in Tampa, FL

Income

Median Household Income

$55,000

$71,302

+30% in Tampa, FL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

—

$48,940

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

48.5 yr

35.6 yr

+12.9 yr in Rutland, VT

Homeownership

52.7%

50.2%

+2.5 pp in Rutland, VT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

32.2%

44.6%

+12.4 pp in Tampa, FL

Avg Commute

14.7 min

24.7 min

+10.0 min in Tampa, FL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

487.8

443.2

+9% in Rutland, VT

Property Crime

3,973.3

1,473.2

+63% in Rutland, VT

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

44.6°F

73.4°F

+28.8°F in Tampa, FL

Annual Precipitation

40.5 in

46.3 in

+5.8 in in Tampa, FL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.83/gal

+3% in Rutland, VT

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)

24.4

15.1

+38% in Rutland, VT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$26.07

$23.62

+9% in Rutland, VT

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Rutland, VT

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.75

+9% in Rutland, VT

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Tampa, FL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.45

+6% in Rutland, VT

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$1.90

+13% in Rutland, VT

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Rutland, VT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (VT / FL)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

8.75%

None

+8.8 pp in VT

Rutland vs Tampa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Rutland or Tampa?: Rutland, VT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 25% below Tampa, FL's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Rutland than in Tampa?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Rutland versus $53,000 in Tampa.
Which has lower taxes, Rutland or Tampa?: Rutland is taxed under Vermont's rules (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% 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).