Raleigh NC 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)
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
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
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Tampa
393,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Raleigh
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Tampa
35.6
Foreign Born
Raleigh
13.6%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Tampa
51.8%
Black
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Tampa
21.3%
Asian
Raleigh
4.7%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
Raleigh
12.7%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Raleigh
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 393,389 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 35.6 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 53.8% | 51.8% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 27.5% | 21.3% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 4.7% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Tampa
$71,302
Per Capita Income
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Tampa
$49,513
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Raleigh
$59,120
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Tampa
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Tampa
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
Tampa
44.6%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $82,424 | $71,302 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,948 | $49,513 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.4% | 15.9% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 52.9% | 44.6% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Raleigh
$435,807
Tampa
$376,530
Tampa +
Homeownership Rate
Raleigh
51.2%
Raleigh +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,807 | $376,530 | Tampa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.2% | 50.2% | Raleigh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
398
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
1999
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Tampa
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
Tampa
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
Tampa
12.6%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | 31.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 12.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 17.4% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 15.9% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.7% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.6% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
61.1°F
Raleigh +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
46.2 in
Raleigh +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.1°F | 73.4°F | Raleigh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 46.3 in | Raleigh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Raleigh
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 26.8 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, 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 398 in Raleigh. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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