salaryTampa is the 3rd-largest city in Florida that we track, with 401,618 residents. Rent is higher than in 77% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.2 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $88,640 a year. That is $43 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Florida cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Florida. It is number 326 of 479 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Tampa with other big cities
Compare Tampa to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Tampa?
Share of households by yearly income. 30.6% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Tampa
| Size | Tampa | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,460 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,524 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,886 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,013 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,448 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Tampa overall?
Everyday prices in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metro area are 1% above the U.S. average (index 100.9, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Tampa
Life in Tampa
What jobs pay in Tampa
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $137,990 | 19.3% |
| Software Developer | $130,450 | 20.4% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,120 | 20.8% |
| Physician Assistant | $127,820 | 20.8% |
| Lawyer | $127,490 | 20.9% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $105,080 | 25.3% |
| Operations Manager | $103,670 | 25.7% |
| Civil Engineer | $100,570 | 26.4% |
| Dental Hygienist | $95,870 | 27.7% |
| Registered Nurse | $85,470 | 31.1% |
| Accountant | $78,990 | 33.7% |
| Police Officer | $75,710 | 35.1% |
| Market Research Analyst | $75,210 | 35.4% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $62,490 | 42.6% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $60,120 | 44.2% |
| Firefighter | $59,660 | 44.6% |
| Electrician | $57,450 | 46.3% |
| Carpenter | $52,130 | 51.0% |
| Plumber | $52,000 | 51.1% |
| Truck Driver | $50,560 | 52.6% |
| HVAC Technician | $50,540 | 52.6% |
| Medical Assistant | $44,480 | 59.8% |
| Customer Service Representative | $42,660 | 62.3% |
| Warehouse Worker | $37,570 | 70.8% |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,470 | 71.0% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $37,070 | 71.7% |
| Restaurant Cook | $37,010 | 71.9% |
| Retail Salesperson | $33,790 | 78.7% |
| Cashier | $30,290 | 87.8% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Tampa?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $701 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $420,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $42,040 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Tampa, FL?
Renting in Tampa costs a median of about $2,216 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Florida median is $1,963.
How much do I need to make to live in Tampa?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $88,640 a year, or $43 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Tampa cheap or expensive?
Tampa is rated Expensive: rent takes 32.7% of the typical household income of $81,400. It ranks 326th cheapest of 479 Florida cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Tampa?
The median homeowner in Tampa pays $3,264 a year in property taxes, about 0.78% of the median home value.
Is Tampa more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 1% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Tampa?
The median home value in Tampa is $420,400, about 5.2 times the typical yearly household income.
401,618 people live in Tampa. Numbers are typical (middle) values.