Tampa vs Tempe: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Tampa, Florida compare to Tempe, Arizona? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Tampa is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 13% lower in Tampa compared to Tempe, while rent is 3% lower. FL has no state income tax.
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Tempe, AZ | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $333,200 | $382,100 | -12.8% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,422 | $1,472 | -3.4% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $66,802 | $72,022 | -7.2% |
| Per Capita Income | $45,586 | $40,495 | +12.6% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | None | 2.5% | -100.0% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 7.0% | 8.4% | -16.2% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 388,768 | 181,005 | +114.8% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Tampa
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Tempe
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Tampa costs $333,200 compared to $382,100 in Tempe — a 13% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,422/mo in Tampa vs $1,472/mo in Tempe.
- Income: Median household income is $66,802 in Tampa and $72,022 in Tempe.
- Taxes: Florida has no state income tax, while Arizona has a 2.5% rate.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).