Quick answer
Tampa is 27% cheaper than Seattle overall. A $100K salary in Seattle is equivalent to $73,000 in Tampa.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Seattle 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 27% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-20% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$73,000
Seattle vs Tampa: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$2,100/mo
$1,680/mo
-20%
2BR median rent
$2,750/mo
$2,100/mo
-24%
Median home price
$780K
$390K
-50%
Avg monthly groceries
$430
$345
-20%
Avg monthly utilities
$130
$175
+35%
State income tax
None
None
—
Walk score
74/100
52/100
Seattle better
Transit score
59/100
34/100
Seattle better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Tampa to maintain the same standard of living as your current Seattle salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$44,000
$82,000
$80,000
$58,000
$109,000
$100,000
$73,000
$137,000
$120,000
$88,000
$164,000
$150,000
$110,000
$205,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Seattle vs Tampa
Who Each City Is Best For
Seattle is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓high earners
- ✓coffee aficionados
Tampa is best for
- ✓healthcare workers
- ✓remote workers
- ✓beach lifestyle seekers
- ✓retirees
FAQs
Is Seattle or Tampa cheaper to live in?
Tampa is 27% cheaper than Seattle overall. Tampa 1BR rent ($1,680/mo) vs Seattle ($2,100/mo). Median home price: Tampa $390K vs Seattle $780K.
How much salary do I need in Tampa to match $100K in Seattle?
$73,000 in Tampa is equivalent to $100,000 in Seattle based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-20% difference) and state taxes (Seattle: None vs Tampa: None).
What is the rent difference between Seattle and Tampa?
1BR: Seattle $2,100/mo vs Tampa $1,680/mo (-20%). 2BR: Seattle $2,750/mo vs Tampa $2,100/mo (-24%).
Does Seattle or Tampa have lower taxes?
Seattle (WA) has None state income tax. Tampa (FL) has None state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$0.