Quick answer
Durham costs $395/month less overall ($1,805 vs $2,200/mo). But Tampa's None state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $3,800/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Durham vs Tampa
Side-by-side on rent, home prices, taxes, walkability, jobs, and climate — with a straight verdict for each type of mover.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Durham vs Tampa at a Glance
| Metric | Durham | Tampa |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,350 ✓ | $2,100 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,650 ✓ | $2,100 |
| Median Home Price | $425K | $390K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $135 ✓ | $175 |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $320 ✓ | $345 |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,805 ✓ | $2,200 |
| Walk Score | 64/100 ✓ | 52/100 |
| Transit Score | 38/100 ✓ | 34/100 |
| State Income Tax | 4.75% | None ✓ |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: Durham's 1BR averages $1,350/month vs $1,680 in Tampa — a $330/month difference, or $3,960/year. That's a meaningful gap worth factoring into your decision.
State tax: Tampa charges None state income tax vs 4.75% in Durham. On an $80K salary that's a $3,800/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $5,700 vs $0 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Tampa are $390K vs $425K in Durham. At a 20% down payment, that's a $7,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Tampa utilities run $40 more per month than Durham.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Durham, NC
Durham's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Tampa, FL
Tampa is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Durham
Humid subtropical with hot, humid summers (85-90°F) and mild winters (45-55°F). Approximately 100 humid days annually; moderate precipitation year-round.
Tampa
Subtropical: hot humid summers (June–Oct, lightning capital of the US); warm dry winters (60s–70s°F)
Job Market
Durham top industries
Tampa top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Durham if…
- →You're a Biotech & pharma professionals
- →You're a Life sciences researchers
- →You're a Academics
- →You're a Young professionals seeking affordable big-city vibe
Move to Tampa if…
- →You're a healthcare workers
- →You're a remote workers
- →You're a beach lifestyle seekers
- →You're a retirees
- →You want zero state income tax
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Durham or Tampa cheaper to live in?
Durham is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,805 in Durham vs $2,200 in Tampa — a $395/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Durham or Tampa?
Durham is more walkable with a Walk Score of 64/100 vs 52/100. Tampa is more car-dependent.
Durham vs Tampa: which has lower state income tax?
Tampa has lower state income tax (None). On an $80K salary, that saves $3,800/year vs Durham (4.75%).
Is Durham or Tampa better for buying a home?
Tampa has lower median home prices at $390K vs $425K in Durham — a $35,000 difference on the median home.