Side-by-side comparison

Houston vs Tampa

Cost of living comparison for Houston, Texas and Tampa, Florida.

Bottom line

Tampa is approximately 12% more expensive than Houston. A single person needs about $3,567/mo in Tampa versus $3,185/mo in Houston.

Rent in Houston vs Tampa

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Houston · Studio

$1,226

Tampa · Studio

$1,566

Tampa is $340 (28%) higher than Houston

Houston · 1 bedroom

$1,279

Tampa · 1 bedroom

$1,686

Tampa is $407 (32%) higher than Houston

Houston · 2 bedroom

$1,529

Tampa · 2 bedroom

$1,978

Tampa is $449 (29%) higher than Houston

Houston · 3 bedroom

$2,038

Tampa · 3 bedroom

$2,533

Tampa is $495 (24%) higher than Houston

Income & earnings in Houston vs Tampa

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Houston · Household income

$73,104

Tampa · Household income

$75,011

Tampa is $1,907 (3%) higher than Houston

Houston · Individual earnings

$41,738

Tampa · Individual earnings

$43,484

Tampa is $1,746 (4%) higher than Houston

Houston · Per capita

$39,978

Tampa · Per capita

$41,980

Tampa is $2,002 (5%) higher than Houston

Home values in Houston vs Tampa

Average values and property tax.

Houston · Average home value

$255,000

Tampa · Average home value

$333,300

Tampa is $78,300 (31%) higher than Houston

Houston · Annual property tax

$4,382

Tampa · Annual property tax

$2,787

Houston is $1,595 (57%) higher than Tampa

Energy in Houston vs Tampa

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Houston · Monthly electricity

$167

Tampa · Monthly electricity

$176

Tampa is $9 (5%) higher than Houston

Houston · Monthly gas

$32

Tampa · Monthly gas

$21

Houston is $11 (52%) higher than Tampa

Houston · Annual total

$2,388

Tampa · Annual total

$2,364

Houston is $24 (1%) higher than Tampa

Healthcare in Houston vs Tampa

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Houston · Individual premium

$480

Tampa · Individual premium

$480

Houston and Tampa are about the same

Houston · Family premium

$1,350

Tampa · Family premium

$1,350

Houston and Tampa are about the same

Houston · Uninsured rate

21.2%

Tampa · Uninsured rate

11.5%

Houston is 9.7% (84%) higher than Tampa

Taxes in Houston vs Tampa

State income and sales tax.

Houston · State income tax

0.0%

Tampa · State income tax

0.0%

Houston and Tampa are about the same

Houston · State sales tax

6.3%

Tampa · State sales tax

6.0%

Houston is 0.3% (4%) higher than Tampa

Houston · Combined sales tax

8.2%

Tampa · Combined sales tax

7.0%

Houston is 1.2% (17%) higher than Tampa

Transportation in Houston vs Tampa

Commute time and travel modes.

Houston · Average commute

29.0 min

Tampa · Average commute

28.7 min

Houston is 0.3 min (1%) higher than Tampa

Houston · Drive alone

72.4%

Tampa · Drive alone

68.9%

Houston is 3.5% (5%) higher than Tampa

Houston · Public transit

2.1%

Tampa · Public transit

0.8%

Houston is 1.3% (163%) higher than Tampa

Monthly cost estimates in Houston vs Tampa

All categories combined.

Houston · Single person

$3,185

Tampa · Single person

$3,567

Tampa is $382 (12%) higher than Houston

Houston · Couple

$4,536

Tampa · Couple

$4,974

Tampa is $438 (10%) higher than Houston

Houston · Family

$7,187

Tampa · Family

$7,687

Tampa is $500 (7%) higher than Houston

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Houston and Tampa.

Is Houston or Tampa more expensive?

Tampa is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,185/mo in Houston, Texas and $3,567/mo in Tampa, Florida, a difference of about 12%.

What is the rent difference between Houston and Tampa?

Average one-bedroom rent in Houston, Texas is $1,279/mo versus $1,686/mo in Tampa, Florida. Tampa is approximately $407 (32%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Houston or Tampa?

Tampa has the higher average household income. Houston households earn approximately $73,104 per year; Tampa households earn approximately $75,011 per year.

More on Houston and Tampa

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

Houston profile Tampa profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.