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San Diego vs Tampa: prices, pay and housing
| San Diego, CA | Tampa, FL | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 111.9 | 100.9 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $79,060 | $66,490 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $58,690 | $48,940 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $70,661 | $65,903 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $61,188 | $55,605 |
| Typical home value | $946,365 | $360,738 |
| Median household income | $102,285 | $71,254 |
| Home price / household income | 9.3 | 5.1 |
| Metro population | 3,282,782 | 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: San Diego to Tampa
To keep the same standard of living when moving from San Diego to Tampa, multiply your salary by 0.902.
| Salary in San Diego | Same buying power in Tampa |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in San Diego | $45,086 in Tampa |
| $75,000 in San Diego | $67,629 in Tampa |
| $100,000 in San Diego | $90,171 in Tampa |
| $150,000 in San Diego | $135,257 in Tampa |
| $200,000 in San Diego | $180,343 in Tampa |
Salaries for common jobs in San Diego and Tampa
| Job | San Diego | Tampa | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail Salespersons | $41,850 | $35,830 | $37,404 / $35,514 |
| Registered Nurses | $145,060 | $92,690 | $129,649 / $91,872 |
| General and Operations Managers | $144,610 | $130,340 | $129,246 / $129,190 |
| Customer Service Representatives | $52,980 | $44,410 | $47,351 / $44,018 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $40,870 | $31,210 | $36,528 / $30,935 |
| Cashiers | $39,820 | $31,580 | $35,589 / $31,301 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $47,700 | $44,090 | $42,632 / $43,701 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $42,790 | $37,540 | $38,244 / $37,209 |
| Office Clerks, General | $51,310 | $47,410 | $45,859 / $46,992 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,270 | $39,390 | $39,567 / $39,043 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $45,770 | $37,560 | $40,907 / $37,229 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $41,970 | $35,010 | $37,511 / $34,701 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $54,770 | $43,890 | $48,951 / $43,503 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $85,600 | $71,750 | $76,506 / $71,117 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,180 | $54,470 | $53,786 / $53,989 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
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San Diego vs Tampa: questions
Is San Diego more expensive than Tampa?
Yes. BEA prices are 111.9 in San Diego, CA and 100.9 in Tampa, FL (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in Tampa to match $100,000 in San Diego?
About $90,171, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, San Diego or Tampa?
San Diego, CA: 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.