Quick answer
Tampa is 67% cheaper than Los Angeles overall. A $100K salary in Los Angeles is equivalent to $33,000 in Tampa.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Los Angeles 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 67% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-30% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$33,000
Los Angeles vs Tampa: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$2,400/mo
$1,680/mo
-30%
2BR median rent
$3,200/mo
$2,100/mo
-34%
Median home price
$850K
$390K
-54%
Avg monthly groceries
$440
$345
-22%
Avg monthly utilities
$140
$175
+25%
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
None
Tampa saves
Walk score
68/100
52/100
Los Angeles better
Transit score
53/100
34/100
Los Angeles better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Tampa to maintain the same standard of living as your current Los Angeles salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$20,000
$179,000
$80,000
$27,000
$239,000
$100,000
$33,000
$299,000
$120,000
$40,000
$358,000
$150,000
$50,000
$448,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Los Angeles vs Tampa
Who Each City Is Best For
Los Angeles is best for
- ✓entertainment industry workers
- ✓creatives
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓entrepreneurs
Tampa is best for
- ✓healthcare workers
- ✓remote workers
- ✓beach lifestyle seekers
- ✓retirees
FAQs
Is Los Angeles or Tampa cheaper to live in?
Tampa is 67% cheaper than Los Angeles overall. Tampa 1BR rent ($1,680/mo) vs Los Angeles ($2,400/mo). Median home price: Tampa $390K vs Los Angeles $850K.
How much salary do I need in Tampa to match $100K in Los Angeles?
$33,000 in Tampa is equivalent to $100,000 in Los Angeles based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-30% difference) and state taxes (Los Angeles: Up to 13.3% vs Tampa: None).
What is the rent difference between Los Angeles and Tampa?
1BR: Los Angeles $2,400/mo vs Tampa $1,680/mo (-30%). 2BR: Los Angeles $3,200/mo vs Tampa $2,100/mo (-34%).
Does Los Angeles or Tampa have lower taxes?
Los Angeles (CA) has Up to 13.3% state income tax. Tampa (FL) has None state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$13,300.