Quick answer
Tampa is 29% cheaper than Raleigh overall. A $100K salary in Raleigh is equivalent to $71,000 in Tampa.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Raleigh 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 29% cheaper
1BR rent difference
+14% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$71,000
Raleigh vs Tampa: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,480/mo
$1,680/mo
+14%
2BR median rent
$1,860/mo
$2,100/mo
+13%
Median home price
$420K
$390K
-7%
Avg monthly groceries
$350
$345
-1%
Avg monthly utilities
$145
$175
+21%
State income tax
4.5%
None
Tampa saves
Walk score
34/100
52/100
Tampa better
Transit score
25/100
34/100
Tampa better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Tampa to maintain the same standard of living as your current Raleigh salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$42,000
$85,000
$80,000
$57,000
$113,000
$100,000
$71,000
$142,000
$120,000
$85,000
$170,000
$150,000
$106,000
$212,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Raleigh vs Tampa
Who Each City Is Best For
Raleigh is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓biotech / pharma professionals
- ✓researchers
- ✓young families
Tampa is best for
- ✓healthcare workers
- ✓remote workers
- ✓beach lifestyle seekers
- ✓retirees
FAQs
Is Raleigh or Tampa cheaper to live in?
Tampa is 29% cheaper than Raleigh overall. Tampa 1BR rent ($1,680/mo) vs Raleigh ($1,480/mo). Median home price: Tampa $390K vs Raleigh $420K.
How much salary do I need in Tampa to match $100K in Raleigh?
$71,000 in Tampa is equivalent to $100,000 in Raleigh based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (+14% difference) and state taxes (Raleigh: 4.5% vs Tampa: None).
What is the rent difference between Raleigh and Tampa?
1BR: Raleigh $1,480/mo vs Tampa $1,680/mo (+14%). 2BR: Raleigh $1,860/mo vs Tampa $2,100/mo (+13%).
Does Raleigh or Tampa have lower taxes?
Raleigh (NC) has 4.5% state income tax. Tampa (FL) has None state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$4,500.