Is it cheaper to live in Seattle or Tampa?

Tampa, FL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,500 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 26% below Seattle, WA's $2,020, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $74,000 a year in Seattle versus $53,000 in Tampa.

Which has lower taxes, Seattle or Tampa?

Seattle is taxed under Washington's rules (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax); Tampa under Florida's (no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax).

Seattle vs Tampa Cost of Living 2026

Seattle

Washington

$2,020/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 $2,020 in Seattle, WA versus $1,500 in Tampa, FL. Overall, Tampa, FL is roughly 26% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Seattle, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $121,984 in Seattle, WA and $71,302 in Tampa, FL — about 42% higher in Seattle, WA. Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax; Florida has no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax.

Seattle, WA

Tampa, FL

Rent

Studio

$1,638

$1,242

+24% in Seattle, WA

1 Bedroom

$1,858

$1,324

+29% in Seattle, WA

2 Bedroom

$2,359

$1,673

+29% in Seattle, WA

3 Bedroom

$2,918

$1,729

+41% in Seattle, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$912,100

$375,300

+59% in Seattle, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$121,984

$71,302

+42% in Seattle, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$72,610

$48,940

+33% in Seattle, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.5 yr

35.6 yr

+0.1 yr in Tampa, FL

Homeownership

44.2%

50.2%

+6.0 pp in Tampa, FL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

67.5%

44.6%

+22.9 pp in Seattle, WA

Avg Commute

26.6 min

24.7 min

+1.9 min in Seattle, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

787.3

443.4

+44% in Seattle, WA

Property Crime

5,107.9

1,473.2

+71% in Seattle, WA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

53.5°F

73.4°F

+19.9°F in Tampa, FL

Annual Precipitation

37.7 in

46.3 in

+8.6 in in Tampa, FL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.77/gal

$4.25/gal

+26% in Seattle, WA

Area: Seattle vs Florida.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.75

$2.00

+27% in Seattle, WA

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.4

14.9

+3% in Tampa, FL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$17.32

$23.62

+36% in Tampa, FL

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.37

$4.16

+5% in Seattle, WA

Bread (lb)

$2.10

$1.73

+18% in Seattle, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.25

$2.19

+3% in Seattle, WA

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.23

$6.56

+9% in Seattle, WA

Chicken (lb)

$2.14

$1.90

+11% in Seattle, WA

Bananas (lb)

$0.74

$0.61

+17% in Seattle, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (WA / FL)

6.5%

+0.5 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

None

about equal

Seattle vs Tampa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Seattle or Tampa?: Tampa, FL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,500 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 26% below Seattle, WA's $2,020, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Seattle than in Tampa?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $74,000 a year in Seattle versus $53,000 in Tampa.
Which has lower taxes, Seattle or Tampa?: Seattle is taxed under Washington's rules (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).