Miami, FL vs Tampa, FL: Cost of Living Comparison
Updated November 2026
Tampa is the cheaper place to live: overall prices in Miami are 10.4% higher, and other services prices differ the most (109.1 in Miami vs 97.6 in Tampa). A single adult's modelled budget is $3,174 a month in Miami and $2,964 in Tampa.
Side-by-side figures
| Measure | Miami, FL | Tampa, FL |
|---|---|---|
| Local cost index (CostLiving estimate) | 112.8 | 102.2 |
| BEA index for the area | 114.2 | 100.9 |
| Housing (rents) | 140.1 | 127.1 |
| Goods | 103.6 | 95.5 |
| Utilities | 97.2 | 88.5 |
| Other services | 109.1 | 97.6 |
| Monthly budget, single adult | $3,174 | $2,964 |
| Monthly budget, couple | $5,095 | $4,713 |
| Monthly budget, family of 4 | $6,157 | $5,577 |
| Median gross rent | $1,758 | $1,701 |
| 1-bedroom rent | $1,499 | $1,448 |
| 2-bedroom rent | $1,885 | $1,792 |
| 3-bedroom rent | $2,158 | $1,913 |
| Median home value | $518,100 | $420,400 |
| Median household income | $62,462 | $75,475 |
| Rent as % of renter income | 37.0% | 33.5% |
| Home value ÷ income | 8.3× | 5.6× |
| Electricity (state, ¢/kWh) | 14.99 | 14.99 |
| Regular gasoline ($/gal) | $3.79 | $3.79 |
| Population | 459,745 | 401,618 |
* fallback value (see notes) · † regional gasoline figure. Local index: CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP 2024 and ACS rents; housing and income: Census ACS 2020-2024; electricity: EIA August 2026; gasoline: EIA week of 2026-11-02.
Prices by category
Miami, FL
Miami price index by category, US average = 100: All items 112.8, Housing (rents) 140.1, Goods 103.6, Utilities 97.2, Other services 109.1
Tampa, FL
Tampa price index by category, US average = 100: All items 102.2, Housing (rents) 127.1, Goods 95.5, Utilities 88.5, Other services 97.6
Monthly budget, family of 4
| Category | Miami | Tampa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,978 | $1,727 | −$251 |
| Utilities | $521 | $493 | −$28 |
| Food at home | $769 | $709 | −$60 |
| Transportation | $1,781 | $1,648 | −$133 |
| Health care | $662 | $592 | −$70 |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $446 | $408 | −$38 |
| Total | $6,157 | $5,577 | −$580 |
Modelled estimate, excluding taxes and child care. How it is calculated.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Tampa more expensive than Miami?
No. Overall prices in Tampa, FL (index 102.2) are 9.4% lower than in Miami, FL (index 112.8), based on our local cost index (BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 adjusted for local rents). The biggest gap is in other services: 97.6 vs 109.1.
What salary do I need in Tampa to match $60,000 in Miami?
About $54,400. Going the other way, $60,000 in Tampa buys about as much as $66,200 in Miami. Taxes are not included.
Is rent cheaper in Miami or Tampa?
Median gross rent is $1,758 in Miami and $1,701 in Tampa (−3.2% in Tampa; Census ACS 2020-2024). Median home values are $518,100 and $420,400.
Notes
Not financial advice. Methodology · Sources