Quick answer
Tampa is 53% cheaper than Boston overall. A $100K salary in Boston is equivalent to $47,000 in Tampa.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Boston vs Tampa Cost of Living (2026)
Side-by-side cost comparison plus a salary calculator to find your equivalent pay in either city.
Overall COL difference
Tampa is 53% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-35% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$47,000
Boston vs Tampa: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$2,600/mo
$1,680/mo
-35%
2BR median rent
$3,400/mo
$2,100/mo
-38%
Median home price
$720K
$390K
-46%
Avg monthly groceries
$420
$345
-18%
Avg monthly utilities
$160
$175
+9%
State income tax
5%
None
Tampa saves
Walk score
83/100
52/100
Boston better
Transit score
75/100
34/100
Boston better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Tampa to maintain the same standard of living as your current Boston salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$28,000
$126,000
$80,000
$38,000
$169,000
$100,000
$47,000
$211,000
$120,000
$57,000
$253,000
$150,000
$71,000
$316,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Boston vs Tampa
Who Each City Is Best For
Boston is best for
- ✓biotech / pharma professionals
- ✓academics / researchers
- ✓healthcare workers
- ✓finance professionals
Tampa is best for
- ✓healthcare workers
- ✓remote workers
- ✓beach lifestyle seekers
- ✓retirees
FAQs
Is Boston or Tampa cheaper to live in?
Tampa is 53% cheaper than Boston overall. Tampa 1BR rent ($1,680/mo) vs Boston ($2,600/mo). Median home price: Tampa $390K vs Boston $720K.
How much salary do I need in Tampa to match $100K in Boston?
$47,000 in Tampa is equivalent to $100,000 in Boston based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-35% difference) and state taxes (Boston: 5% vs Tampa: None).
What is the rent difference between Boston and Tampa?
1BR: Boston $2,600/mo vs Tampa $1,680/mo (-35%). 2BR: Boston $3,400/mo vs Tampa $2,100/mo (-38%).
Does Boston or Tampa have lower taxes?
Boston (MA) has 5% state income tax. Tampa (FL) has None state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$5,000.