Philadelphia PA 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)
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
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
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Tampa
393,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Philadelphia
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Tampa
35.6
Foreign Born
Philadelphia
14.6%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Philadelphia
36.1%
Tampa
51.8%
Tampa +
Black
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Tampa
21.3%
Asian
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Tampa
4.8%
Hispanic
Philadelphia
15.2%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Philadelphia
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 393,389 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.6 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 14.6% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 36.1% | 51.8% | Tampa + |
| Black | 39.9% | 21.3% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 4.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 15.2% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Philadelphia
$60,698
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
Philadelphia
$37,669
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Philadelphia
$65,080
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
Philadelphia
8.4%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Philadelphia
22.0%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Philadelphia
34.6%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,698 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,669 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.6% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $233,814 | $376,530 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.3% | 50.2% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Tampa
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
1613
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 324 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Tampa
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Philadelphia
N/A
Tampa
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Tampa
12.6%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 31.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Tampa
46.3 in
Tampa +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.1°F | 73.4°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5 in | 46.3 in | Tampa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tampa +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tampa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Philadelphia
34.5 min
Tampa
26.8 min
Tampa +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 26.8 min | Tampa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Tampa. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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