Median rent is 28% lower in Wilmington ($1,224/mo vs $1,701/mo). Buying is cheaper in Wilmington, where the median home runs $231,400 versus $420,400. Households earn more in Tampa ($75,475 vs $58,671 a year). Taken together, Wilmington 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
Tampa, FL
City B
Wilmington, DE
How much would you need to earn in Wilmington, DE to maintain your standard of living from Tampa, FL?
Equivalent salary in Wilmington, DE
$74,919
You could earn $81 less (0% 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
Tampa
Florida
Wilmington
Delaware
👥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
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Wilmington — median rent of $1,224/mo versus $1,701/mo in Tampa, a 28% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Tampa: the median home is $420,400 versus $231,400 in Wilmington — 45% 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
Wilmington
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Tampa (avg AQI 64.0) but not yet for Wilmington.
Pick Tampa if you prioritize higher median household income ($75,475/yr).
Pick Wilmington if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,224/mo median).
Is Tampa cheaper than Wilmington?
Wilmington 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 Wilmington.
How much is rent in Tampa vs Wilmington?
Median rent is $1,701/mo in Tampa, FL and $1,224/mo in Wilmington, DE. Wilmington, DE has the lower rent by about 28%.
Which has higher salaries — Tampa or Wilmington?
Median household income is $75,475 in Tampa, FL and $58,671 in Wilmington, DE. 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?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Tampa or Wilmington?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Wilmington to match my Tampa income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Tampa, FL is equivalent to roughly $99,893 in Wilmington, DE (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
