Miami FL 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)
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
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
Miami
446,663
Miami +
Tampa
393,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Miami
39.7
Tampa
35.6
Tampa +
Foreign Born
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
Tampa
19.0%
White
Miami
34.2%
Tampa
51.8%
Tampa +
Black
Miami
13.7%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
Miami
1.6%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
Tampa
26.2%
Spanish at Home
Miami
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Miami, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 446,663 | 393,389 | Miami + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 35.6 | Tampa + |
| Foreign Born | 57.7% | 19.0% | Miami + |
| White | 34.2% | 51.8% | Tampa + |
| Black | 13.7% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 71.2% | 26.2% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami
$59,390
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
Miami
$42,528
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami
$65,328
Tampa
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Miami
5.0%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Miami
19.2%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami
35.6%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,390 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,528 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.6% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami
$580,996
Tampa
$376,530
Tampa +
Homeownership Rate
Miami
30.7%
Tampa
50.2%
Tampa +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,996 | $376,530 | Tampa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 30.7% | 50.2% | Tampa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
324
Tampa
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
1453
Tampa
1453
Tie
| Metric | Miami, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 324 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1453 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
29.9%
Miami +
Tampa
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.5%
Tampa
12.5%
Tampa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
Tampa
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami
27.2%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.3%
Miami +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami
12.3%
Miami +
Tampa
12.6%
| Metric | Miami, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.9% | 31.9% | Miami + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 12.5% | Tampa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 17.4% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.7% | Miami + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 12.6% | Miami + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
75.8°F
Tampa
73.4°F
Tampa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
64.1 in
Tampa
46.3 in
Tampa +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.8°F | 73.4°F | Tampa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1 in | 46.3 in | Tampa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Miami, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami
29.9 min
Tampa
26.8 min
Tampa +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.9 min | 26.8 min | Tampa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, 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 324 in Miami. 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, Miami scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.9%.
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