Cost Of Living In Tampa: What Homebuyers Need To Know

With such great weather and so much to do in downtown Tampa, the cost of living is quite reasonable. This article compares the price of living in Tampa with a few nearby cities, as well as the national average, to help you decide on where to move next. Movoto Real Estate can help you find the perfect property in Tampa or its surrounding cities.

Overall Cost Of Living

The overall cost of living index represents how much money it takes to live comfortably within a certain area, which can vary greatly from city to city. This index takes into account the price of goods, services, groceries, health care, housing, transportation, and utilities, and places them against the national average. The national average is always represented as 100, and anything above or below is more expensive or less expensive than the average, respectively. Tampa's overall cost of living is a 98, which is two points below the national average and three points below Florida's average. St. Petersburg, which is 16 miles away, falls at a 96, while Feather Sound, which is 13 miles away from Tampa, falls at a 113.

Cost Of Goods And Services

The cost of goods and services takes into account the cost of things like movie tickets, veterinary services, clothing, and haircuts. Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Feather Sound all have a goods and services index of 96. This is four points below the national average and five points below Florida's average.

Cost Of Groceries

The cost of groceries takes into account the cost of items like toothpaste, milk, eggs, meat, coke, and beer. Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Feather Sound all score a 99 on the cost of groceries index. This is one point below the national average and two points below Florida's average.

Cost Of Health Care

The cost of health care index includes the cost of visits to the optometrist, dentist, and doctor, as well as the cost of two popular drugs: Ibuprofen and Lipitor. Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Feather Sound score a 91 on the health care index, which is nine points below the national average and six points below Florida's average.

Cost Of Housing

The cost of housing index considers the cost of renting or owning a home, as well as the cost of insurance. Tampa's housing index falls 98, while St. Petersburg's falls at 91 and Feather Sound's is a whopping 150. Tampa remains two points below the national average and one point below Florida's average.

Cost Of Transportation

The cost of transportation factors in the cost of routine car maintenance and gasoline prices. Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Feather Sound all score a 102. This is two points above the national average, and three points below Florida's average.

Cost Of Utilities

The cost of utilities index takes into account the cost of electricity, other energy, and telephone service. Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Feather Sound all maintain a 103 on the cost of utilities index. This is three points above the national average and one point above Florida's average.