Tallahassee 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)
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
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
Tallahassee
199,696
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tallahassee
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Tampa
35.6
Foreign Born
Tallahassee
8.0%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Tallahassee
50.7%
Tampa
51.8%
Tampa +
Black
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Tampa
21.3%
Asian
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
Tallahassee
8.6%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Tallahassee
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,696 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.0 | 35.6 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 8.0% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 50.7% | 51.8% | Tampa + |
| Black | 35.7% | 21.3% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tallahassee
$55,931
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
Tallahassee
$35,704
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tampa
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Tallahassee
6.5%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Tallahassee
23.2%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
Tampa
44.6%
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,931 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,704 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.0% | 44.6% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
Tallahassee
39.5%
Tampa
50.2%
Tampa +
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,664 | $376,530 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.5% | 50.2% | Tampa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tallahassee
324
Tampa
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tallahassee
1453
Tampa
1453
Tie
| Metric | Tallahassee, 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
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tallahassee
20.3%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
13.2%
Tallahassee +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
16.7%
Tampa
16.7%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
Tampa
12.6%
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.1% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.5% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 15.9% | Tallahassee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.7% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.6% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Tallahassee +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tallahassee
58.1 in
Tampa
46.3 in
Tampa +
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 73.4°F | Tallahassee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1 in | 46.3 in | Tampa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tallahassee, 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
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 26.8 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, while tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Tallahassee. 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, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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