Los Angeles 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)
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Tampa
393,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Los Angeles
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Los Angeles
36.9
Tampa
35.6
Tampa +
Foreign Born
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
Tampa
19.0%
White
Los Angeles
37.3%
Tampa
51.8%
Tampa +
Black
Los Angeles
8.5%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
Tampa
4.8%
Hispanic
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Tampa
26.2%
Spanish at Home
Los Angeles
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 393,389 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 35.6 | Tampa + |
| Foreign Born | 35.8% | 19.0% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 37.3% | 51.8% | Tampa + |
| Black | 8.5% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 12.0% | 4.8% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 26.2% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
Tampa
$71,302
Per Capita Income
Los Angeles
$46,270
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
Tampa
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Los Angeles
7.9%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Los Angeles
16.6%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Los Angeles
37.8%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,366 | $71,302 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,270 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Los Angeles
$956,465
Tampa
$376,530
Tampa +
Homeownership Rate
Los Angeles
36.3%
Tampa
50.2%
Tampa +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $956,465 | $376,530 | Tampa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.3% | 50.2% | Tampa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
503
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
2388
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Los Angeles, 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
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
Tampa
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Los Angeles
17.4%
Tampa
17.4%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
13.2%
Los Angeles +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
15.9%
Los Angeles +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Tampa
12.6%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.3% | 31.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.5% | Los Angeles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 17.4% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 15.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 16.7% | Los Angeles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.6% | Los Angeles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Los Angeles +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 73.4°F | Los Angeles + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 46.3 in | Los Angeles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Los Angeles
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Los Angeles, 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
Los Angeles
33.8 min
Tampa
26.8 min
Tampa +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 26.8 min | Tampa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, 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 Los Angeles. 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, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
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