Chula Vista CA vs Tampa FL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chula Vista
8,933
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chula Vista
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Chula Vista
42.9
Tampa
35.6
Tampa +
Foreign Born
Chula Vista
20.0%
Chula Vista +
Tampa
19.0%
White
Chula Vista
65.7%
Chula Vista +
Tampa
51.8%
Black
Chula Vista
0.7%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
Chula Vista
0.7%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
Chula Vista
36.5%
Chula Vista +
Tampa
26.2%
Spanish at Home
Chula Vista
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,933 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 35.6 | Tampa + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 19.0% | Chula Vista + |
| White | 65.7% | 51.8% | Chula Vista + |
| Black | 0.7% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 36.5% | 26.2% | Chula Vista + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chula Vista
$104,238
Chula Vista +
Tampa
$71,302
Per Capita Income
Chula Vista
$49,562
Chula Vista +
Tampa
$49,513
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chula Vista
$77,230
Chula Vista +
Tampa
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Tampa
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Tampa
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chula Vista
26.9%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,238 | $71,302 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,562 | $49,513 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Chula Vista + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 4.7% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.5% | 15.9% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.9% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chula Vista
$849,245
Tampa
$376,530
Tampa +
Homeownership Rate
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,245 | $376,530 | Tampa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.4% | 50.2% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
503
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
2388
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
26.6%
Chula Vista +
Tampa
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
11.4%
Chula Vista +
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chula Vista
16.0%
Chula Vista +
Tampa
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
12.4%
Chula Vista +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
15.7%
Chula Vista +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
9.6%
Chula Vista +
Tampa
12.6%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 31.9% | Chula Vista + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.5% | Chula Vista + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.4% | Chula Vista + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.9% | Chula Vista + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.7% | Chula Vista + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.6% | Chula Vista + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Chula Vista +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Chula Vista +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 73.4°F | Chula Vista + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.8 in | 46.3 in | Chula Vista + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chula Vista
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chula Vista
26.9 min
Tampa
26.8 min
Tampa +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 26.8 min | Tampa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista leads in median household income at $104,238, while tampa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $376,530. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chula Vista scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
Compare More Cities
Chula Vista, CA vs New York, NYChula Vista, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Chula Vista, CAChula Vista, CA vs Houston, TXChula Vista, CA vs Phoenix, AZChula Vista, CA vs Philadelphia, PA