Quick answer
Tampa is 37% cheaper than Denver overall. A $100K salary in Denver is equivalent to $63,000 in Tampa.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Denver 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 37% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-3% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$63,000
Denver vs Tampa: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,740/mo
$1,680/mo
-3%
2BR median rent
$2,250/mo
$2,100/mo
-7%
Median home price
$565K
$390K
-31%
Avg monthly groceries
$370
$345
-7%
Avg monthly utilities
$145
$175
+21%
State income tax
4.4%
None
Tampa saves
Walk score
61/100
52/100
Denver better
Transit score
44/100
34/100
Denver better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Tampa to maintain the same standard of living as your current Denver salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$38,000
$95,000
$80,000
$50,000
$127,000
$100,000
$63,000
$159,000
$120,000
$76,000
$190,000
$150,000
$95,000
$238,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Denver vs Tampa
Who Each City Is Best For
Denver is best for
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓skiers
- ✓tech workers
- ✓craft beer lovers
Tampa is best for
- ✓healthcare workers
- ✓remote workers
- ✓beach lifestyle seekers
- ✓retirees
FAQs
Is Denver or Tampa cheaper to live in?
Tampa is 37% cheaper than Denver overall. Tampa 1BR rent ($1,680/mo) vs Denver ($1,740/mo). Median home price: Tampa $390K vs Denver $565K.
How much salary do I need in Tampa to match $100K in Denver?
$63,000 in Tampa is equivalent to $100,000 in Denver based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-3% difference) and state taxes (Denver: 4.4% vs Tampa: None).
What is the rent difference between Denver and Tampa?
1BR: Denver $1,740/mo vs Tampa $1,680/mo (-3%). 2BR: Denver $2,250/mo vs Tampa $2,100/mo (-7%).
Does Denver or Tampa have lower taxes?
Denver (CO) has 4.4% state income tax. Tampa (FL) has None state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$4,400.