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Philadelphia vs Tampa: Cost of Living

Philadelphia is about 2% more expensive than Tampa, based on the BEA regional price parity index (U.S. average = 100): Philadelphia at 102.554, Tampa at 100.89.

Cost of living (U.S. avg 100)
Philadelphia: 102.554
Cost of living (U.S. avg 100)
Tampa: 100.89
Salary parity ($100K in Philadelphia)
$98K in Tampa

If you earn $100K in Philadelphia, you would need about $98K in Tampa to keep the same standard of living (price levels only; taxes on your specific income are separate).

Rents: the biggest difference

Philadelphia

Rent price parity: 113.141 (U.S. average = 100)

Tampa

Rent price parity: 125.839 (U.S. average = 100)

What common jobs pay in each city (after tax)

OccupationMedian (Philadelphia)Take-home (Philadelphia)Median (Tampa)Take-home (Tampa)
Software Developer$133K$98K$130K$100K
Data Scientist$110K$83K$110K$86K
Registered Nurse$101K$77K$85K$69K
Accountant$86K$67K$79K$64K
Mechanical Engineer$104K$79K$100K$79K
Marketing Manager$166K$120K$160K$121K
Electrician$75K$59K$57K$48K
Elementary School Teacher$79K$62K$60K$50K
Police Officer$90K$69K$76K$62K
Chef$66K$53K$58K$49K
Financial Analyst$95K$73K$80K$65K
Civil Engineer$99K$76K$101K$80K
Pharmacist----
Physical Therapist----
Dental Hygienist----
Web Developer----
Graphic Designer----
Paralegal$70K$56K$60K$51K
Plumber----
HVAC Technician$65K$52K$51K$43K

Taxes at a glance

Take-home assumes a single filer using the standard deduction. Philadelphia (Pennsylvania state tax), Tampa (Florida state tax). A $100K salary nets about $76K in Philadelphia vs $79K in Tampa. Full assumptions: methodology.