Performance
Score Breakdown
Orlando
Tampa
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Orlando is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
18% lower compared to Tampa.
Housing costs are a major driver: Orlando's average rent is
18% lower than Tampa's.
| Metric | Orlando | Tampa | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,479 | $1,800 | -18% |
| Groceries | $450 | $552 | -18% |
| Utilities | $180 | $294 | -39% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,479 | $3,016 | -18% |
| Cost Index | 99 | 100 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Orlando offers similar average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Orlando delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Orlando is estimated at
$55,000 vs $70,000 in Tampa.
| Metric | Orlando | Tampa |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $70,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,657 idx | 65,000 idx |
| Household Income | $72,336 | $84,114 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Orlando | Tampa |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Orlando scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Tampa leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Orlando | Tampa |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/10 | 31.0/10 |
| Walkability | 45.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 68.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tampa is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Orlando.
From a growth perspective, Orlando is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Orlando has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Orlando | Tampa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 319,758 | 419,635 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.80% | 1.47% |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 4.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Orlando
Advantages
Leading job growth among major U.S. metros, with significant expansion in diverse sectors like healthcare, technology, and advanced manufacturing.
Affordable cost of living compared to the national average, with lower housing and utility expenses.
Vibrant entertainment and tourism industry, offering world-class theme parks and attractions.
Mild winters and warm climate conducive to an active outdoor lifestyle year-round.
Diverse and growing population, contributing to a multicultural community and dynamic urban environment.
Drawbacks
Higher than average violent crime rates in some areas, despite recent decreases.
Significant traffic congestion and long commute times, with drivers wasting an average of 68 hours annually in traffic.
High humidity and oppressive heat during long summer months, often exceeding 100°F heat index.
Lower than national average homeownership rate (39.5%), indicating a strong rental market and potential affordability challenges for buyers.
Grocery costs are slightly higher than the national average.
Tampa
Advantages
Tampa's job market is experiencing significant growth, particularly in education, health services, and financial activities.
The city has seen a substantial reduction in total crime (14.8%) and violent crime (8.4%) in 2024.
The median household income in Tampa increased by over 15% between 2023 and 2024.
Tampa offers a high quality of life with abundant outdoor activities and a vibrant cultural scene.
Healthcare costs in Tampa are generally lower than the Florida state average.
Drawbacks
The violent crime rate in Tampa (444.6 per 100,000) was higher than the national average in 2024.
Housing costs, particularly median home values, have seen a significant increase, making homeownership less accessible for some.
Tampa's population growth rate has slowed in 2024 compared to previous years, with fewer new residents moving to the city.
The city's overall walkability score is moderate, indicating a reliance on cars for many errands.
The unemployment rate in Tampa (4.8% in April 2026) is slightly above the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Orlando
#28Florida, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,479
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
99
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
40.0/10
Walkability
45.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.80%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
74
Business
75
Tampa
#28Florida, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
100
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
31.0/10
Walkability
50.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.47%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
70
Business
75
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