Cost of Living: Tampa, FL vs Montgomery, AL (2026)

Tampa

Florida
113
VS

Montgomery

Alabama
64

Tampa is 77% more expensive than Montgomery.

$1,567/mo ↑ 48%
Median Rent
$1,059/mo ↓ 32%
$71,302/yr ↑ 28%
Median Income
$55,687/yr ↓ 22%
$375,300 ↑ 153%
Home Value
$148,500 ↓ 60%
$1,553/mo ↑ 52%
Owner Costs
$1,023/mo ↓ 34%
393,389
Population
198,440

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.0%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.41%

Affordability

26.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Tampa, FL and Montgomery, AL, the overall cost of living indices are 113 and 64 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $508/month cheaper in Montgomery, saving renters about $6,096/year.

Median household income is $15,615/year higher in Tampa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Tampa is $375,300 compared to $148,500 in Montgomery.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Tampa residents a significant tax advantage over Alabama's 5.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tampa vs Montgomery — common questions

Is Tampa or Montgomery cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Montgomery is cheaper to live in with an index of 64 compared to 113 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Tampa and Montgomery?
Median rent in Tampa is $1,567/month and in Montgomery it's $1,059/month — a difference of $508/month.
Which city has higher income, Tampa or Montgomery?
Median household income is $71,302 in Tampa and $55,687 in Montgomery. Median household income is $15,615/year higher in Tampa.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Alabama?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Alabama has 5.0% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.41% property tax.
Should I move to Tampa or Montgomery?
It depends on your priorities. Tampa has a cost index of 113 with median rent of $1,567/mo, while Montgomery has a cost index of 64 with rent of $1,059/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Tampa details → View Montgomery details →

More Comparisons

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