Tampa, Florida, known as "The Cigar City," is a vibrant metropolis located on the Gulf Coast. With its rich history, diverse cultural scene, and thriving economy, Tampa offers a high quality of life for its residents. The city's blend of historic charm and modern amenities makes living in Tampa an attractive option for families, professionals, and retirees alike.
Residents of Tampa enjoy a variety of recreational activities and cultural events. The city's numerous parks, beaches, and recreational facilities provide ample opportunities for outdoor activities. Bayshore Boulevard, with its scenic views of Tampa Bay, is a popular destination for walking, jogging, and cycling. The Tampa Riverwalk and the nearby beaches of Clearwater and St. Pete Beach are also popular spots for relaxation and entertainment.
Tampa's cultural scene is enriched by its diverse population and vibrant arts community. The Tampa Museum of Art, the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, and the historic Ybor City are cultural highlights that offer residents access to visual and performing arts. The city's annual Gasparilla Pirate Festival and various food and music festivals celebrate Tampa's rich heritage and community spirit.
The cost of living in Tampa is relatively affordable compared to other major metropolitan areas, making it an attractive option for families and young professionals. The housing market includes a variety of options, from historic homes in charming neighborhoods to modern apartments and condos. The city's strong economy is supported by industries such as healthcare, finance, and tourism, providing ample job opportunities for residents.
Public transportation in Tampa is well-developed, with access to HART (Hillsborough Area Regional Transit) buses and the TECO Line Streetcar System, facilitating easy commutes within the city and to neighboring areas. Tampa's climate features hot, humid summers and mild winters, allowing for year-round outdoor activities. Overall, Tampa offers a blend of cultural richness, economic opportunity, and community spirit, making it a desirable place to live.
Commute
The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.
Cost Of Living
Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.
Housing
Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.
Health & Safety
Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.
Nothing Found
None of the categories scored poorly, resulting in no identified cons for this area.
Tampa is a highly populated city located in the state of Florida. The city has a population of 395,912 people. Tampa has a population density of 3,472 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. More than a quarter of the residents of Tampa identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 20% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. Tampa is very likely to be a great place to live for singles as only 44%, of the population (over fifteen) are classified as married. Long travel times to work can be one of the most frustrating things in the world - right behind housework! If you decide that living in Tampa is the right fit for you, your one way commute time will average 25 minutes, which is about average when compared to the national commute time of 26 minutes.
Without the right tools, relocating to any new city can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Tampa, Florida could be a good experience for anyone who puts in the time to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, crime, cost of living, commute, health & safety, you can easily compare the best places to live in Tampa and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Tampa to Florida and the national average.
The livability score in Tampa is 80/100 and the city is ranked in the 96th percentile of all cities across America. Clearly, Tampa is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. The cherry on top is that Tampa also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. There are nine total categories that generate the livability score. Tampa scores well for amenities (B-), cost of living (A+) and housing (A+)
For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Tampa apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.
Assuming that Tampa meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Tampa. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Tampa are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Tampa come in at $254,600, which is 52.6% higher than the Florida average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Tampa, the home price to income ratio is 4.6, which is 35.3% higher than the Florida average.
| Statistic | Tampa | Florida | National |
| Average one way commute | 25min | 27min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 74.0% | 79.5% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 9.0% | 9.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 2.3% | 2.1% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 1.0% | 0.7% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.4% | 1.5% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 9.7% | 5.4% | 4.6% |
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