Median rent is 13% lower in Tampa ($1,701/mo vs $1,954/mo). Buying is cheaper in Tampa, where the median home runs $420,400 versus $737,100. Households earn more in Washington ($109,870 vs $75,475 a year). Taken together, Tampa is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 102.5 against 109.5 — about 6% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Washington, DC.
Cost of living verdict
Tampa is 6% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 102.5 in Tampa vs 109.5 in Washington (US national average = 100)
City A
Tampa, FL
City B
Washington, DC
How much would you need to earn in Washington, DC to maintain your standard of living from Tampa, FL?
Equivalent salary in Washington, DC
$80,175
You'd need $5,175 more (7% 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
Tampa
Florida
Washington
District of Columbia
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 rent is modestly lower in Tampa at $1,701/mo compared to $1,954/mo in Washington (13% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Washington: the median home is $737,100 versus $420,400 in Tampa — 43% 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.
Tampa
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Washington
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Washington has cleaner air on average: 24.0 AQI (Good) compared to 64.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Tampa if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 102.5 vs 109.5).
Pick Washington if you prioritize higher median household income ($109,870/yr).
Pick Tampa if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,701/mo median).
Pick Washington if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 24.0).
Is Tampa cheaper than Washington?
Tampa is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 102.5 versus 109.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 6% lower in Tampa.
How much is rent in Tampa vs Washington?
Median rent is $1,701/mo in Tampa, FL and $1,954/mo in Washington, DC. Tampa, FL has the lower rent by about 13%.
Which has higher salaries — Tampa or Washington?
Median household income is $75,475 in Tampa, FL and $109,870 in Washington, DC. Washington, DC 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?
Washington, DC has better air quality on average: 24.0 AQI versus 64.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Tampa or Washington?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Washington to match my Tampa income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Tampa, FL is equivalent to roughly $106,899 in Washington, DC (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
