Champaign vs Tampa
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Champaign
Tampa
💡 The Verdict
Champaign is 6% cheaper than Tampa overall. A $75,000 salary in Champaign is equivalent to $79,688 in Tampa.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Champaign (left) vs Tampa (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Champaign versus Tampa. Differences shown from Champaign perspective.
| Item | Champaign | Tampa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $790/mo | $1,210/mo | $-420.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,050/mo | $1,700/mo | $-650.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $1,360/mo | $2,230/mo | $-870.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.75 | $2.84 | $-0.09 |
| Milk (gallon) | $3.43 | $4.00 | $-0.57 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.53 | $3.89 | $-0.36 |
| Coffee (latte) | $5.11 | $6.15 | $-1.04 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.08 | $3.34 | $-0.26 |
| Restaurant Meal | $15.52 | $18.85 | $-3.33 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Champaign has the same purchasing power as $79,688 in Tampa.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tampa equals $70,588 in Champaign.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $3676 difference is driven by Illinois having a higher state income tax rate. Illinois details → · Florida details →
Reading These Numbers: Champaign (96) vs Tampa (102)
Champaign at 96 is 4% below the US average, while Tampa at 102 is 2% above average. The cost difference between these cities is relatively modest.
In Champaign, the composite index of 96 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 87, followed by groceries (97), utilities (95), transportation (91), and healthcare (94). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.
For renters: With median rents of $1,050/mo in Champaign and $1,700/mo in Tampa, the annual rent difference is approximately $7,800.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $39,000.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $87,000.0 difference in median home prices between Champaign and Tampa translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Champaign vs Tampa
Choosing between Champaign and Tampa involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
Long-term affordability in Champaign versus Tampa depends partly on cost trajectory. Cities experiencing rapid population growth tend to see costs rise faster than established metros where supply has caught up with demand. While our index captures current conditions, consider whether the city trending cheaper today might converge toward average over the next five to ten years as more people discover it. Our quarterly updates help track these shifts over time.