Cost of Living: Tallahassee, FL vs Tempe, AZ (2026)

Tallahassee

Florida
87
VS

Tempe

Arizona
120

Tallahassee is 28% cheaper than Tempe.

$1,238/mo ↓ 24%
Median Rent
$1,623/mo ↑ 31%
$55,931/yr ↓ 28%
Median Income
$77,643/yr ↑ 39%
$276,000 ↓ 35%
Home Value
$421,900 ↑ 53%
$1,237/mo ↓ 20%
Owner Costs
$1,554/mo ↑ 26%
199,696
Population
186,419

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
2.5%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
5.6%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.62%

Affordability

26.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Tallahassee, FL and Tempe, AZ, the overall cost of living indices are 87 and 120 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $385/month cheaper in Tallahassee, saving renters about $4,620/year.

Median household income is $21,712/year higher in Tempe. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Tallahassee is $276,000 compared to $421,900 in Tempe.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Tallahassee residents a significant tax advantage over Arizona's 2.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tallahassee vs Tempe — common questions

Is Tallahassee or Tempe cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Tallahassee is cheaper to live in with an index of 87 compared to 120 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Tallahassee and Tempe?
Median rent in Tallahassee is $1,238/month and in Tempe it's $1,623/month — a difference of $385/month.
Which city has higher income, Tallahassee or Tempe?
Median household income is $55,931 in Tallahassee and $77,643 in Tempe. Median household income is $21,712/year higher in Tempe.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Arizona?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Arizona has 2.5% income tax, 5.6% sales tax, and 0.62% property tax.
Should I move to Tallahassee or Tempe?
It depends on your priorities. Tallahassee has a cost index of 87 with median rent of $1,238/mo, while Tempe has a cost index of 120 with rent of $1,623/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Tallahassee details → View Tempe details →

More Comparisons

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