Median rent is 17% lower in Tampa ($1,567/mo vs $1,879/mo). Buying is cheaper in Tampa, where the median home runs $375,300 versus $879,500. Households earn more in Los Angeles ($80,366 vs $71,302 a year). Taken together, Tampa is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 99.9 against 113.3 — about 12% lower overall prices.
Quick verdict
Tampa is 12% cheaper overall
Cost index: 99.9 in Tampa vs 113.3 in Los Angeles (US average = 100)
City A
Los Angeles, CA
City B
Tampa, FL
How much would you need to earn in Tampa, FL to maintain your standard of living from Los Angeles, CA?
Equivalent salary in Tampa, FL
$66,096
You could earn $8,904 less (12% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Los Angeles
California
Tampa
Florida
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Tampa at $1,567/mo compared to $1,879/mo in Los Angeles (17% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $879,500 versus $375,300 in Tampa — 57% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Florida has no state income tax, while California tops out at 13.30% — giving Tampa a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 7.25% in California and 6.00% in Florida; Tampa has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Los Angeles
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Tampa
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.00%
Tampa has cleaner air on average: 29.0 AQI (Good) compared to 77.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Tampa if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 99.9 vs 113.3).
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize higher median household income ($80,366/yr).
Pick Tampa if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,567/mo median).
Pick Tampa if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 29.0).
Is Los Angeles cheaper than Tampa?
Tampa is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 99.9 versus 113.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 12% lower in Tampa.
How much is rent in Los Angeles vs Tampa?
Median rent is $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, CA and $1,567/mo in Tampa, FL. Tampa, FL has the lower rent by about 17%.
Which has higher salaries — Los Angeles or Tampa?
Median household income is $80,366 in Los Angeles, CA and $71,302 in Tampa, FL. Los Angeles, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Tampa, FL has better air quality on average: 29.0 AQI versus 77.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Los Angeles or Tampa?
Florida has no state income tax. California has a top rate of 13.30%.
What salary do I need in Tampa to match my Los Angeles income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Los Angeles, CA is equivalent to roughly $88,128 in Tampa, FL (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology