Tampa FL vs Vancouver WA — 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Vancouver
192,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tampa
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Tampa
35.6
Tampa +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
Vancouver
13.6%
White
Tampa
51.8%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Tampa
4.8%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Vancouver
17.2%
Spanish at Home
Tampa
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 393,389 | 192,696 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 37.5 | Tampa + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 13.6% | Tampa + |
| White | 51.8% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 21.3% | 3.1% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 26.2% | 17.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tampa
$71,302
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Vancouver
$42,839
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tampa
$65,328
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Vancouver
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Tampa
15.9%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
Vancouver
31.5%
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,302 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,513 | $42,839 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.6% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.9% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.6% | 31.5% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tampa
$376,530
Tampa +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Tampa
50.2%
Tampa +
Vancouver
49.9%
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $376,530 | $510,577 | Tampa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 49.9% | Tampa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Vancouver
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 383 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3409 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Vancouver
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tampa
12.5%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tampa
15.9%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tampa
16.7%
Vancouver
16.3%
Vancouver +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tampa
12.6%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 36.2% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 19.1% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.3% | Vancouver + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tampa
73.4°F
Vancouver
52.1°F
Vancouver +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tampa
46.3 in
Vancouver
41.6 in
Vancouver +
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.4°F | 52.1°F | Vancouver + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 41.6 in | Vancouver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tampa
75.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tampa
26.8 min
Vancouver
25.1 min
Vancouver +
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 25.1 min | Vancouver + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, 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 383 in Vancouver. 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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