Quick answer
Tampa is 16% cheaper than Phoenix overall. A $100K salary in Tampa is equivalent to $116,000 in Phoenix.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Tampa vs Phoenix Cost of Living (2026)
Side-by-side cost comparison plus a salary calculator to find your equivalent pay in either city.
Overall COL difference
Tampa is 16% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-18% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$116,000
Tampa vs Phoenix: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,680/mo
$1,380/mo
-18%
2BR median rent
$2,100/mo
$1,720/mo
-18%
Median home price
$390K
$415K
+6%
Avg monthly groceries
$345
$345
+0%
Avg monthly utilities
$175
$195
+11%
State income tax
None
2.5%
Tampa saves
Walk score
52/100
41/100
Tampa better
Transit score
34/100
29/100
Tampa better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Phoenix to maintain the same standard of living as your current Tampa salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$69,000
$52,000
$80,000
$92,000
$69,000
$100,000
$116,000
$87,000
$120,000
$139,000
$104,000
$150,000
$173,000
$130,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Tampa vs Phoenix
Who Each City Is Best For
Tampa is best for
- ✓healthcare workers
- ✓remote workers
- ✓beach lifestyle seekers
- ✓retirees
Phoenix is best for
- ✓remote workers
- ✓retirees
- ✓families on a budget
- ✓snowbirds
FAQs
Is Tampa or Phoenix cheaper to live in?
Tampa is 16% cheaper than Phoenix overall. Tampa 1BR rent ($1,680/mo) vs Phoenix ($1,380/mo). Median home price: Tampa $390K vs Phoenix $415K.
How much salary do I need in Phoenix to match $100K in Tampa?
$116,000 in Phoenix is equivalent to $100,000 in Tampa based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-18% difference) and state taxes (Tampa: None vs Phoenix: 2.5%).
What is the rent difference between Tampa and Phoenix?
1BR: Tampa $1,680/mo vs Phoenix $1,380/mo (-18%). 2BR: Tampa $2,100/mo vs Phoenix $1,720/mo (-18%).
Does Tampa or Phoenix have lower taxes?
Tampa (FL) has None state income tax. Phoenix (AZ) has 2.5% state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$2,500.