Cost of Living in Tampa: Expected Expenses Guide

Tampa is a vibrant city located on Florida’s Gulf Coast. It is a major business centre in Florida and is well known for its museums and other cultural offerings. However, it has its own set of expenses and If you are planning to move here, you have to make a budget for the cost of living in Tampa.

Understanding the cost of living in Tampa is crucial so you can manage your budget accordingly before moving here. In the blog below, we have explored the various categories of the cost of living in Tampa. It will help you make decisions accordingly if you consider relocating to this fantastic city. Without further delay, let’s begin our discussion.

What is the Cost of Living in Tampa ?

The average cost of living in Tampa is around USD 3,300 for a single person including rent. It is around 4% less expensive than the national average according to rentcafe. Tampa attracts individuals worldwide for its amazing living standards, excellent business ecosystem, handsome salary and high-quality education system with advanced programs.

Before moving to Tampa, individuals should know how much money they can keep with them so that they can live leisurely in Tampa. Here, we have categorised the average cost of living in Tampa into different categories for the emigrants who wish to move here. Please have a look: 

Also Read: Cost of Living in Wales: A Comprehensive Guide on Wales’s Expense

Costs of Housing Rent in Tampa

When you consider renting an apartment or room in Tampa, it’s essential to get the right place that can fit your budget easily. Renting costs in Tampa are a major portion of the cost of living in Tampa. The rental cost in Tampa depends on the location of the apartment and the type of apartment you want. 

We’ve provided some information about the average renting cost in Tampa below to help you out. Please have a look the average renting apartments in the city and outside the city centre below: 

Apartment Location	Approx. Monthly Cost
One-bedroom Apartment in the City Centre	USD 1,983
One-bedroom Apartment Outside of Centre	USD 1,692
Three -bedroom Apartment in the City Centre	USD 3,684
Affordable Three -bedroom Apartment Outside of the Centre	USD 2,659

Cost of a Utility in Tampa 

It is also important to consider the cost of utilities in Tampa along with the cost of living in Tampa. The utility cost includes things like electricity, water, gas, and heating. Understanding these utility costs and bills in Tampa can help you better plan and manage your expenses.

For your reference, in the table below, we have given the utility costs in Tampa is provided for your convenience:

Utility Type	Approx. Cost
Basic Utility Cost (Heating, Electricity, Cooling, Water, and Garbage)	USD 244
Internet (60 Mbps+, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL monthly)	USD 64
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data	USD 74

Cost of Grocery in Tampa

Knowing the grocery costs in Tampa is important to figuring out how much it costs to live in Tampa overall. Groceries in Tampa cover things like fruits, veggies, milk, bread, water and other foods you need every day. Typically, the cost of groceries in Tampa is less than other living expenses in the city. The table below lists the average cost of groceries in Tampa: 

Grocery Item	Approx Cost
Regular Milk, (1 litre)	USD 1.15
500g Fresh White Bread	USD 4.04
1kg white Rice	USD 4.50
A dozen Eggs (regular)	USD 4.68
1kg Apples	USD 7.06
1kg Banana (1kg)	USD 1.56
1kg Oranges (1kg)	USD 4.99
1kg Tomato (1kg)	USD 4.74
1kg Potato (1kg)	USD 4.55
1kg Onion (1kg)	USD 3.91
1 litre bottle of Water	USD 3.30
meat, drinks and Other items	USD 76

Also Read: Cost of Living in Chelmsford: Is it Expensive to Live in Chelmsford, UK?

Restaurant Food Costs in Tampa

The cost of restaurant food in Tampa play an important role in deciding a budget for the cost of living in the city. Restaurant food costs depend on various factors, such as the type of restaurant you prefer to dine out, location, and cuisine an individual prefers in Tampa.

Generally, dining out at nearby restaurants in Tampa can be more expensive than cooking at home. For your reference, in the table below, we have given the list of the average restaurant food costs in Tampa: 

Type of Restaurant	Approx Cost of Meal in Restaurant
Meal at Lunch in inexpensive restaurant	USD 20
Meal in a Restaurant, for 2 person	USD 92
Meal that is equiv. to McDonald’s	USD 11
Cappuccino	USD 5

Transportation costs in Tampa

Transportation costs in Tampa cover expenses for moving around the city with local transport such as buses, trains, or cabs. The average monthly cost of local transportation might affect your cost of living in Tampa’s budget.

You’ll need to know the cost of tickets or passes for regular use of public transportation in Tampa. Check out the table below for costs related to the local transport system across the Tampa city:

Mode of Transport	Approx Cost
Local transport ticket	USD 2.50
Monthly ticket in a local transport	USD 70.50
Taxi Ride for 1 km tariff	USD 1.49
Taxi 1 hour Waiting for Normal Tariff	USD 30
Gas / Petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal	USD 0.93

Also Read: Cost of Living in China: A Comprehensive Guide on China’s Expenses

Cost of Clothing in Tampa

The cost of clothing in Tampa can be impacted by various factors, such as shopping habits, seasonal clothes, and the quality an individual prefers in clothes. The clothing budget is also a significant part of the cost of living in Tampa.

For your reference, we have given the average cost of clothes like jeans, shoes and summer dresses. Check out the table below to keep an idea about the costs of clothing across Tampa City:

Clothes	Approx Cost
Pair of Brand Jeans	USD 54.50
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store	USD 45
Brand Shoes	USD 105

Average Tuition Fees in Tampa

Having an idea about average tuition fees in Tampa helps students to make a budget for their education at their desired university in Tampa. The tuition fees can vary depending on the university selection and the specific courses you choose. 

Understanding tuition fees along with the costs of living in Tampa is crucial for planning your education expenses and deciding on the best path for your higher education journey. Take a look at the table below to get an overview of the average tuition fees nationwide:

Name of University	Approx Tuition fees per year
The University of Tampa	USD 32220
University of South Florida	USD  6410
South University, Tampa	USD 17014
Hillsborough Community College	USD 2506
Erwin Technical College	USD 2887

Things to Know When Moving to Tampa

Moving to a new place like Tampa is an exciting journey for anyone. Still, before moving there, it’s important to consider a few important things, along with the average cost of living in Tampa. So that you can better plan your journey in Tampa for the big change, here are some key points to think about before moving to Tampa or any new city:

Weather in Tampa 

Tampa experiences a range of temperatures throughout the year. The coldest month, January, has an average temperature of around 16.7 °C, while the warmest month, August, has an average temperature of around 28.9 °C. Additionally, the city receives a significant amount of precipitation, around 1,255 millimetres annually. This kind of amazing weather in Tampa makes it an amazing place to live. 

Jobs in Tampa

There are numerous job openings available in Tampa, and even local businesses often list their current openings on their official websites. Additionally, Tampa offers various networking opportunities to help job seekers. The average salary after tax in Tampa is around USD 4,840.75, which allows people to manage the cost of living in Tampa.

Quality of life in Tampa  Beaches

Around Tampa beaches, in less than an hour, one can enjoy the surf, sand, and sun of beaches from Clearwater Beach and Indian Rocks Beach to St. Pete Beach or Treasure Island. There’s no shortage of spots to escape from the city.

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FAQs

So, this was all about the cost of living in Tampa. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.