Tampa, Florida, known as "The Cigar City," is a vibrant metropolis located on the Gulf Coast. With its rich history, diverse cultural scene, and thriving economy, Tampa offers a high quality of life for its residents. The city's blend of historic charm and modern amenities makes living in Tampa an attractive option for families, professionals, and retirees alike.
Residents of Tampa enjoy a variety of recreational activities and cultural events. The city's numerous parks, beaches, and recreational facilities provide ample opportunities for outdoor activities. Bayshore Boulevard, with its scenic views of Tampa Bay, is a popular destination for walking, jogging, and cycling. The Tampa Riverwalk and the nearby beaches of Clearwater and St. Pete Beach are also popular spots for relaxation and entertainment.
Tampa's cultural scene is enriched by its diverse population and vibrant arts community. The Tampa Museum of Art, the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, and the historic Ybor City are cultural highlights that offer residents access to visual and performing arts. The city's annual Gasparilla Pirate Festival and various food and music festivals celebrate Tampa's rich heritage and community spirit.
The cost of living in Tampa is relatively affordable compared to other major metropolitan areas, making it an attractive option for families and young professionals. The housing market includes a variety of options, from historic homes in charming neighborhoods to modern apartments and condos. The city's strong economy is supported by industries such as healthcare, finance, and tourism, providing ample job opportunities for residents.
Public transportation in Tampa is well-developed, with access to HART (Hillsborough Area Regional Transit) buses and the TECO Line Streetcar System, facilitating easy commutes within the city and to neighboring areas. Tampa's climate features hot, humid summers and mild winters, allowing for year-round outdoor activities. Overall, Tampa offers a blend of cultural richness, economic opportunity, and community spirit, making it a desirable place to live.
Commute
The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.
Cost Of Living
Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.
Housing
Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.
Health & Safety
Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.
Nothing Found
None of the categories scored poorly, resulting in no identified cons for this area.
Located in the state of Florida, Tampa is a large city with a population of 403,927 inhabitants. In Tampa, there are 3,561 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. More than a quarter of the residents of Tampa identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 20% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. Tampa is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 44% married, this city falls well below the national average. Long travel times to work can be one of the most frustrating things in the world - right behind housework! If you decide that living in Tampa is the right fit for you, your one way commute time will average 25 minutes, which is about average when compared to the national commute time of 26 minutes.
Are you trying to ascertain if living in Tampa is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a great experience before moving to any new city in Florida, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like cost of living, health & safety, education, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Tampa and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Tampa to Florida and the national average.
Using data and statistics Tampa has received a livability score of 80/100. This score is ranked in the 94th percentile when compared to all other cities. Based on this score, Tampa would be considered a very livable city! The cherry on top is that Tampa also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. There are nine total categories that form the livability score. Tampa ranks well for amenities (B-), cost of living (A) and housing (A+) There are some categories that Tampa ranks poorly for, including: crime (D). It might be worth taking a closer look to figure out why.
A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Tampa has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
Tampa real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Tampa. Median real estate prices in Tampa come in at $448,039, which is 49.5% higher than the Florida average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Tampa, the home price to income ratio is 5.4, which is 28.6% higher than the Florida average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Tampa | Florida | National |
| Average one way commute | 25min | 27min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 74.0% | 79.5% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 9.0% | 9.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 2.3% | 2.1% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 1.0% | 0.7% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.4% | 1.5% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 9.7% | 5.4% | 4.6% |
Here are the best places to live in Florida
Check out the 10 safest cities in Florida
These are the largest cities in Florida
Safest Cities In The US