Tampa FL vs Tucson AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Tampa
393,389
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tampa
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Tampa
35.6
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Tampa
51.8%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Tampa
26.2%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Tampa
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 393,389 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 13.7% | Tampa + |
| White | 51.8% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 21.3% | 5.0% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 3.1% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 26.2% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,302 | $54,546 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,513 | $31,152 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.4% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.9% | 18.8% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.6% | 30.2% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tampa
$376,530
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Tampa
50.2%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $376,530 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 450 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2150 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Tucson
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tampa
12.5%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tampa
15.9%
Tucson
15.7%
Tucson +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tampa
16.7%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tampa
12.6%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 33.5% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 18.3% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 15.7% | Tucson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tampa
73.4°F
Tucson
69.8°F
Tucson +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tampa
46.3 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.4°F | 69.8°F | Tucson + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tampa
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tampa
26.8 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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