Quick answer
Tampa is 37% cheaper than Seattle overall. A $100K salary in Tampa is equivalent to $137,000 in Seattle.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Tampa vs Seattle 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 37% cheaper
1BR rent difference
+25% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$137,000
Tampa vs Seattle: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,680/mo
$2,100/mo
+25%
2BR median rent
$2,100/mo
$2,750/mo
+31%
Median home price
$390K
$780K
+100%
Avg monthly groceries
$345
$430
+25%
Avg monthly utilities
$175
$130
-26%
State income tax
None
None
—
Walk score
52/100
74/100
Seattle better
Transit score
34/100
59/100
Seattle better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Seattle to maintain the same standard of living as your current Tampa salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$82,000
$44,000
$80,000
$109,000
$58,000
$100,000
$137,000
$73,000
$120,000
$164,000
$88,000
$150,000
$205,000
$110,000
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 Seattle
Who Each City Is Best For
Tampa is best for
- ✓healthcare workers
- ✓remote workers
- ✓beach lifestyle seekers
- ✓retirees
Seattle is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓high earners
- ✓coffee aficionados
FAQs
Is Tampa or Seattle cheaper to live in?
Tampa is 37% cheaper than Seattle overall. Tampa 1BR rent ($1,680/mo) vs Seattle ($2,100/mo). Median home price: Tampa $390K vs Seattle $780K.
How much salary do I need in Seattle to match $100K in Tampa?
$137,000 in Seattle is equivalent to $100,000 in Tampa based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (+25% difference) and state taxes (Tampa: None vs Seattle: None).
What is the rent difference between Tampa and Seattle?
1BR: Tampa $1,680/mo vs Seattle $2,100/mo (+25%). 2BR: Tampa $2,100/mo vs Seattle $2,750/mo (+31%).
Does Tampa or Seattle have lower taxes?
Tampa (FL) has None state income tax. Seattle (WA) has None state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$0.