Cost of Living: Tampa, FL vs Fairfield, CA (2026)

Tampa

Florida
113
VS

Fairfield

California
167

Tampa is 32% cheaper than Fairfield.

$1,567/mo ↓ 28%
Median Rent
$2,191/mo ↑ 40%
$71,302/yr ↓ 30%
Median Income
$102,321/yr ↑ 44%
$375,300 ↓ 37%
Home Value
$592,500 ↑ 58%
$1,553/mo ↓ 30%
Owner Costs
$2,226/mo ↑ 43%
393,389
Population
119,985

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

26.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Tampa, FL and Fairfield, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 113 and 167 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $624/month cheaper in Tampa, saving renters about $7,488/year.

Median household income is $31,019/year higher in Fairfield. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Tampa is $375,300 compared to $592,500 in Fairfield.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Tampa residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tampa vs Fairfield — common questions

Is Tampa or Fairfield cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Tampa is cheaper to live in with an index of 113 compared to 167 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Tampa and Fairfield?
Median rent in Tampa is $1,567/month and in Fairfield it's $2,191/month — a difference of $624/month.
Which city has higher income, Tampa or Fairfield?
Median household income is $71,302 in Tampa and $102,321 in Fairfield. Median household income is $31,019/year higher in Fairfield.
How do taxes compare between Florida and California?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Tampa or Fairfield?
It depends on your priorities. Tampa has a cost index of 113 with median rent of $1,567/mo, while Fairfield has a cost index of 167 with rent of $2,191/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Tampa details → View Fairfield details →

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