CostIndexUSA

Seattle, WA vs Tampa, FL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

WA
Seattle
111.1
overall index
$2,175/mo rent
More AffordableFL
Tampa
100.9
overall index
$1,975/mo rent

Tampa is moderately cheaper than Seattle — 9.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Seattle, you would need $72,700 in Tampa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing16.9%
Seattle
151.3
Tampa
125.8
🛒 Groceries8.2%
Seattle
104
Tampa
95.5
🚗 Transportation8.7%
Seattle
112.2
Tampa
102.4
🏥 Healthcare8.7%
Seattle
101.5
Tampa
92.7
Utilities4.6%
Seattle
92.8
Tampa
88.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Seattle to see what you'd need to earn in Tampa to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Tampa, FL
$72,700
$7,300 less needed in Tampa

Formula: salary × (100.9 ÷ 111.1) = salary × 0.9082. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Seattle, WA

Median Home Price
$730,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,175
Housing Index
151.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
28.0×

Tampa, FL

Median Home Price
$352,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,975
Housing Index
125.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.9×

Seattle has 16.9% lower housing costs compared to Tampa.

Income & Job Market

Seattle, WA

Median Household Income
$110,700
Per Capita Income
$63,100
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
737,255
Top Industries
TechnologyAerospaceHealthcareRetailLogistics

Tampa, FL

Median Household Income
$72,700
Per Capita Income
$41,400
Unemployment Rate
4.1%
Population
399,700
Top Industries
FinanceHealthcareTourismTechnologyLogistics

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Seattle, WA
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Tampa, FL
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.