Cost of Living in Tampa, FL
| Cost of Living in Tampa, FL | Compared to State Average | Compared to National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (Buy and Rent) | 11% lower | 8% lower |
| Utilities (Monthly) | 4% higher | 3% higher |
| Food | 2% higher | 6% higher |
| Healthcare | 5% lower | 8% lower |
| Transportation | 2% higher | 2% higher |
| Goods & Services | 3% lower | 4% lower |
The cost of living in Tampa, FL is 4% lower than the state average and 3% lower than the national average. Tampa, FL housing is 8% cheaper than the U.S average, while utilities are about 3% pricier. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 6% pricier in Tampa, FL than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 4% less .
Healthcare services such as doctor check-ups and dentistry cost 8% less here compared to the U.S. average. At the same time, non-necessary expenses such as entertainment and grooming services are 4% cheaper in Tampa, FL.
Housing is the most significant expense for most American households. The cost of living in a certain city takes into account both the price of rent and the price of a home. The average monthly rent in Tampa is $2,009, while home prices circle around $449,783.
Both owning and renting come with utility expenses. These costs include basic services such as energy and telecommunications. In Tampa, energy bills cost around $218.25 per month.
Food is the most important necessity and its cost varies around the country. This section includes the prices of everyday foods such as produce, meat and dairy. A bottle of milk costs about $4.76 in Tampa, a dozen eggs go for around $4.43 and a pound of potatoes circles around $5.18.
The benchmark for this category is based on the prices of family doctor visits and specialized services such as optometry. In Tampa, an optometry check-up costs around $118.80, while a dentist appointment is priced $111.70 on average.
Transportation expenses depend on multiple factors, with fuel being the most important. A gallon of gas is priced around $3.30 in Tampa, while getting your tires balanced will run you about $66.50.
The cost of clothing tells you how much more or less money you need to buy basic items such as jeans, shirts or slacks in a new city. A men's shirt costs around $30.40 here. Meanwhile, a pair of women's slacks will set you back around $32.65.
The cost of entertainment and everyday services is based on common expenses in each category. For a movie ticket in Tampa, you should budget around $13.11 a month. When it comes to personal services, a haircut usually goes for $26.50, while dry cleaning costs about $16.42.
The cost of living also takes median household income into account, so you can estimate how much more or less you could be earning in a new city by comparing it to the income in your current area. In Tampa, the median household income is $71,302.