Fullerton 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)
Fullerton, CA
California · Population: 141,278
- Median HH Income$104,219
- Median Home Price$1,047,700
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+43.6%
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
Fullerton
141,278
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fullerton
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Fullerton
36.1
Tampa
35.6
Tampa +
Foreign Born
Fullerton
28.9%
Fullerton +
Tampa
19.0%
White
Fullerton
43.0%
Tampa
51.8%
Tampa +
Black
Fullerton
2.1%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
Fullerton
24.5%
Fullerton +
Tampa
4.8%
Hispanic
Fullerton
39.6%
Fullerton +
Tampa
26.2%
Spanish at Home
Fullerton
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,278 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 35.6 | Tampa + |
| Foreign Born | 28.9% | 19.0% | Fullerton + |
| White | 43.0% | 51.8% | Tampa + |
| Black | 2.1% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 24.5% | 4.8% | Fullerton + |
| Hispanic | 39.6% | 26.2% | Fullerton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fullerton
$104,219
Fullerton +
Tampa
$71,302
Per Capita Income
Fullerton
$48,061
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fullerton
$77,230
Fullerton +
Tampa
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Fullerton
6.5%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Fullerton
12.2%
Fullerton +
Tampa
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fullerton
43.6%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,219 | $71,302 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,061 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Fullerton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 15.9% | Fullerton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.6% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fullerton
$1,047,700
Tampa
$376,530
Tampa +
Homeownership Rate
Fullerton
51.5%
Fullerton +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,047,700 | $376,530 | Tampa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 50.2% | Fullerton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
503
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
2388
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Fullerton, 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
Fullerton
23.9%
Fullerton +
Tampa
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.9%
Fullerton +
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fullerton
16.8%
Fullerton +
Tampa
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.2%
Fullerton +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
15.0%
Fullerton +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
9.2%
Fullerton +
Tampa
12.6%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.9% | 31.9% | Fullerton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.5% | Fullerton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.4% | Fullerton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 15.9% | Fullerton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 16.7% | Fullerton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 12.6% | Fullerton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
65.1°F
Fullerton +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
13.9 in
Fullerton +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.1°F | 73.4°F | Fullerton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.9 in | 46.3 in | Fullerton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fullerton
7.9 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fullerton
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fullerton, 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
Fullerton
32.5 min
Tampa
26.8 min
Tampa +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 26.8 min | Tampa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fullerton leads in median household income at $104,219, 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 Fullerton. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fullerton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.9%.
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