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

Tampa

Florida
113
VS

Santa Clara

California
307

Tampa is 63% cheaper than Santa Clara.

$1,567/mo ↓ 48%
Median Rent
$2,985/mo ↑ 90%
$71,302/yr ↓ 59%
Median Income
$173,670/yr ↑ 144%
$375,300 ↓ 75%
Home Value
$1,527,900 ↑ 307%
$1,553/mo ↓ 49%
Owner Costs
$3,051/mo ↑ 96%
393,389
Population
129,239

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
20.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Tampa, FL and Santa Clara, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 113 and 307 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,418/month cheaper in Tampa, saving renters about $17,016/year.

Median household income is $102,368/year higher in Santa Clara. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Tampa is $375,300 compared to $1,527,900 in Santa Clara.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Tampa vs Santa Clara — common questions

Is Tampa or Santa Clara cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Tampa is cheaper to live in with an index of 113 compared to 307 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Tampa and Santa Clara?
Median rent in Tampa is $1,567/month and in Santa Clara it's $2,985/month — a difference of $1,418/month.
Which city has higher income, Tampa or Santa Clara?
Median household income is $71,302 in Tampa and $173,670 in Santa Clara. Median household income is $102,368/year higher in Santa Clara.
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 Santa Clara?
It depends on your priorities. Tampa has a cost index of 113 with median rent of $1,567/mo, while Santa Clara has a cost index of 307 with rent of $2,985/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Tampa details → View Santa Clara details →

More Comparisons

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