Tampa, FL · Washington, DC

Cost of Living: Tampa vs Washington

Living in Tampa, FL costs 7.3% less than in Washington, DC: a $100,000 salary in Tampa, FL buys what $107,923 buys in Washington, DC, based on BEA regional price parities for 2024.

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Tampa vs Washington: prices, pay and housing

Tampa, FLWashington, DC
BEA price parity (U.S. = 100)100.9108.9
Average salary, all jobs$66,490$91,930
Median salary, all jobs$48,940$71,060
Average salary adjusted for prices$65,903$84,429
Take-home on the average salary*$55,605$68,657
Typical home value$360,738$583,013
Median household income$71,254$123,896
Home price / household income5.14.7
Metro population3,240,4696,263,796

*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA (2026 rules); city income taxes included where we model them.

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Equivalent salary: Tampa to Washington

To keep the same standard of living when moving from Tampa to Washington, multiply your salary by 1.079.

Salary in TampaSame buying power in Washington
$50,000 in Tampa$53,962 in Washington
$75,000 in Tampa$80,943 in Washington
$100,000 in Tampa$107,923 in Washington
$150,000 in Tampa$161,885 in Washington
$200,000 in Tampa$215,847 in Washington

Salaries for common jobs in Tampa and Washington

JobTampaWashingtonAdjusted for prices
General and Operations Managers$130,340$163,620$129,190 / $150,270
Business Operations Specialists, All Other$93,750$113,390$92,923 / $104,138
Software Developers$133,630$153,100$132,451 / $140,608
Retail Salespersons$35,830$39,600$35,514 / $36,369
Management Analysts$104,240$145,310$103,320 / $133,454
Fast Food and Counter Workers$31,210$35,550$30,935 / $32,649
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$35,010$39,660$34,701 / $36,424
Cashiers$31,580$36,630$31,301 / $33,641
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$35,380$39,110$35,068 / $35,919
Lawyers$148,940$226,780$147,626 / $208,277
Registered Nurses$92,690$104,590$91,872 / $96,056
Waiters and Waitresses$44,090$51,820$43,701 / $47,592
Managers, All Other$124,540$176,670$123,441 / $162,255
Accountants and Auditors$88,300$113,640$87,521 / $104,368
Security Guards$38,060$54,430$37,724 / $49,989
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary

Adjusted = average salary divided by the BEA price parity: what it buys in a typical U.S. metro.

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Tampa vs Washington: questions

Is Tampa more expensive than Washington?

No. BEA prices are 100.9 in Tampa, FL and 108.9 in Washington, DC (U.S. = 100).

What salary do I need in Washington to match $100,000 in Tampa?

About $107,923, before taxes.

Where do salaries go further, Tampa or Washington?

Washington, DC: once prices are counted, its average salary buys more.

Sources and how to read this page

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