Tampa vs Durham

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.

💰 Salary Equivalence

To maintain the same standard of living:

See exact take-home pay: Florida salaries · North Carolina salaries

Living in Tampa vs Durham

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Tampa has a housing index of 108 while Durham sits at 104 (national average = 100). The median home in Tampa costs $340,000 compared to $340,000 in Durham, a difference of $0. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,700 in Tampa versus $1,400 in Durham.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Tampa scores 103 while Durham scores 100. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.

Healthcare costs in Tampa (97) are lower than Durham (108).

Median household income in Tampa is $52,594 compared to $57,738 in Durham. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.

Relocating: Tampa vs Durham

If you are considering a move between Tampa (index: 102) and Durham (index: 101), the 1% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Durham is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.

Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Tampa can afford $1,227/month, while the median household in Durham can afford $1,347/month. With median homes at $340,000 in Tampa versus $340,000 in Durham, both cities offer reasonable homeownership opportunities at median income.

Renting vs buying: At $1,700/month in Tampa and $1,400/month in Durham, renters face similar costs in both cities. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.

Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes about equally far in both cities. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.

Reading These Numbers: Tampa (102) vs Durham (101)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Tampa at 102 is 2% above the US average, while Durham at 101 is 1% above average. Both cities are close to the national average in overall costs.

Tampa and Durham land within 1 points of each other on the composite index (102 vs 101), so the overall cost picture is similar. Healthcare shows the widest single-category margin at 97 versus 108, making it the area where residents will feel the most day-to-day price difference between Tampa and Durham. Housing costs are comparable between the two metros, with Tampa at 108 and Durham at 104 on the housing sub-index and median home prices of $340,000 and $340,000 respectively. Neither city is cheaper across the board: Tampa has an edge in healthcare, while Durham is more affordable for housing and groceries. Your actual savings depend on which categories consume the biggest share of your personal budget.

For renters: With median rents of $1,700/month in Tampa and $1,400/month in Durham, the annual rent difference is approximately $3,600. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $18,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $0 difference in median home prices between Tampa and Durham translates to roughly $0 per month 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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