Median rent is 18% lower in Philadelphia ($1,397/mo vs $1,701/mo). Buying is cheaper in Philadelphia, where the median home runs $243,100 versus $420,400. Households earn more in Tampa ($75,475 vs $61,953 a year). Taken together, Philadelphia is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 102.4 against 102.5 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Tampa, FL.
City A
Philadelphia, PA
City B
Tampa, FL
How much would you need to earn in Tampa, FL to maintain your standard of living from Philadelphia, PA?
Equivalent salary in Tampa, FL
$75,081
You'd need $81 more (0% higher).
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
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania
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 Philadelphia at $1,397/mo compared to $1,701/mo in Tampa (18% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Tampa: the median home is $420,400 versus $243,100 in Philadelphia — 42% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Philadelphia
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Tampa
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Philadelphia 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 Tampa if you prioritize higher median household income ($75,475/yr).
Pick Philadelphia if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,397/mo median).
Pick Philadelphia if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 54.0).
Is Philadelphia cheaper than Tampa?
Philadelphia is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 102.4 versus 102.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Philadelphia.
How much is rent in Philadelphia vs Tampa?
Median rent is $1,397/mo in Philadelphia, PA and $1,701/mo in Tampa, FL. Philadelphia, PA has the lower rent by about 18%.
Which has higher salaries — Philadelphia or Tampa?
Median household income is $61,953 in Philadelphia, PA 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?
Philadelphia, PA 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 — Philadelphia or Tampa?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Tampa to match my Philadelphia income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Philadelphia, PA is equivalent to roughly $100,107 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
