Advertisement
Houston vs Tampa: prices, pay and housing
| Houston, TX | Tampa, FL | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 98.6 | 100.9 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $67,610 | $66,490 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $49,410 | $48,940 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $68,550 | $65,903 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $56,394 | $55,605 |
| Typical home value | $308,306 | $360,738 |
| Median household income | $80,458 | $71,254 |
| Home price / household income | 3.8 | 5.1 |
| Metro population | 7,274,714 | 3,240,469 |
*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA (2026 rules); city income taxes included where we model them.
Compare with another city or state
Equivalent salary: Houston to Tampa
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Houston to Tampa, multiply your salary by 1.023.
| Salary in Houston | Same buying power in Tampa |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Houston | $51,146 in Tampa |
| $75,000 in Houston | $76,719 in Tampa |
| $100,000 in Houston | $102,292 in Tampa |
| $150,000 in Houston | $153,439 in Tampa |
| $200,000 in Houston | $204,585 in Tampa |
Salaries for common jobs in Houston and Tampa
| Job | Houston | Tampa | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail Salespersons | $34,640 | $35,830 | $35,122 / $35,514 |
| Registered Nurses | $100,290 | $92,690 | $101,684 / $91,872 |
| General and Operations Managers | $146,320 | $130,340 | $148,354 / $129,190 |
| Customer Service Representatives | $43,380 | $44,410 | $43,983 / $44,018 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,630 | $31,210 | $28,014 / $30,935 |
| Cashiers | $30,100 | $31,580 | $30,518 / $31,301 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $29,180 | $44,090 | $29,586 / $43,701 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $38,670 | $37,540 | $39,208 / $37,209 |
| Office Clerks, General | $43,320 | $47,410 | $43,922 / $46,992 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $39,910 | $39,390 | $40,465 / $39,043 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $32,970 | $37,560 | $33,428 / $37,229 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $32,660 | $35,010 | $33,114 / $34,701 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $43,140 | $43,890 | $43,740 / $43,503 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $74,210 | $71,750 | $75,242 / $71,117 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,160 | $54,470 | $58,968 / $53,989 |
Advertisement
Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
More cost of living comparisons
Go deeper
Houston vs Tampa: questions
Is Houston more expensive than Tampa?
No. BEA prices are 98.6 in Houston, TX and 100.9 in Tampa, FL (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in Tampa to match $100,000 in Houston?
About $102,292, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Houston or Tampa?
Houston, TX: once prices are counted, its average salary buys more.
Sources and how to read this page
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas.
- Home values: Zillow Home Value Index; income and population: Census ACS 5-year 2023.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.