Median rent is 3% lower in Tampa ($1,701/mo vs $1,747/mo). Buying is cheaper in Orlando, where the median home runs $394,100 versus $420,400. Households earn more in Tampa ($75,475 vs $72,336 a year). Taken together, Orlando is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 101.6 against 102.5 — about 1% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Tampa, FL.
Cost of living verdict
Orlando is 1% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 101.6 in Orlando vs 102.5 in Tampa (US national average = 100)
City A
Orlando, FL
City B
Tampa, FL
How much would you need to earn in Tampa, FL to maintain your standard of living from Orlando, FL?
Equivalent salary in Tampa, FL
$75,652
You'd need $652 more (1% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Orlando
Florida
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: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,747/mo in Orlando and $1,701/mo in Tampa. Median home values are within 6% of each other: $394,100 in Orlando and $420,400 in Tampa.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Orlando
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Tampa
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Orlando has cleaner air on average: 54.0 AQI (Moderate) compared to 64.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Orlando if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 54.0).
Is Orlando cheaper than Tampa?
Orlando is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 101.6 versus 102.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in Orlando.
How much is rent in Orlando vs Tampa?
Median rent is $1,747/mo in Orlando, FL and $1,701/mo in Tampa, FL. Tampa, FL has the lower rent by about 3%.
Which has higher salaries — Orlando or Tampa?
Median household income is $72,336 in Orlando, FL and $75,475 in Tampa, FL. Tampa, FL 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?
Orlando, FL has better air quality on average: 54.0 AQI versus 64.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Orlando or Tampa?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Tampa to match my Orlando income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Orlando, FL is equivalent to roughly $100,869 in Tampa, FL (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
