A Local’s Guide to Moving to Tampa: What You Need to Know 

If you are thinking about moving to Tampa, we can’t blame you! The Tampa Bay area has so much to offer (not to mention great weather!) that it’s a great choice for retirees, professionals, and families alike!  

Of course, there are pros and cons to any city, so it’s best to consider all the details before making a move. So, sit back and read on to get the inside scoop on what life is like in Tampa Bay!  

Look Across the Bay  

Though “Tampa” has become a shorthand term for referring to the entire Tampa Bay metro area, we have many distinct communities to choose from on both sides of the bay.  

About 3.19 million people are living in the Tampa Bay metro region.  

There are four counties in Tampa Bay—Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, and Hernando.  

Hillsborough County  

Home to Tampa and Tampa International Airport (TIA), Hillsborough County has a population of 1.23 million and a total area of 1,266 square miles. Hillsborough County also includes smaller cities like Plant City and Temple Terrace, and areas like Brandon, Carrollwood, Westchase, New Tampa, and more.  

Pinellas County 

If you love the beach and the beautiful outdoors, Pinellas County is where you’ll want to be. With a population of 916,000, you’ll find St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and 22 smaller cities.  

Pasco County  

People of all ages are heading to Pasco County (population 464,000) for lower real estate prices. Wesley Chapel and Land O’ Lakes attract younger families while New Port Richey and Dade City appeal more to retirees.  

Hernando County 

Further north, with a population of 172,000, you’ll find Spring Hill and Brooksville that are becoming some of the most affordable locales in Tampa Bay.  

Tampa Bay’s Cost of Living vs. Housing Costs  

You may be disappointed if you are moving to Tampa Bay to save money. As 2022 gains traction, the average rent for a Tampa apartment or home is between $1,376 and $2,163, which is slightly higher than the national average. The irony is that newcomers moving to Tampa Bay from more expensive cities are driving up the costs across the Bay.  

If you’re buying a home, it’s getting harder to find an affordable home in this hot real estate market. In December 2021, the typical home value in Tampa was around $357K trending up 12% year-over-year. To find more affordable homes, many people are looking in Pasco and Hernando counties, which are farther away from employment opportunities in Tampa Bay.  

Other costs of living, such as grocery store and restaurant prices trend close to the national average or lower since we do not have a state income tax. However, due to the number of uninsured motorists on our roads, and our inclement weather during hurricane season, homeowners and car insurance rates are higher.  

Income and Employment  

If you aren’t retiring to Tampa Bay, you’ll need to consider the job market. Tampa’s annual wage is $49,800, lower than the national average of $59,202. However, the Tampa Bay area ranks fourth in job growth among twenty other similar metro areas, indicating that more jobs are being created here than in most areas across the United States.  

Age Demographics  

One of the major differences between the two sides of Tampa Bay is age. Tampa is a place where young professionals and working families live, while the beaches around St. Petersburg and Clearwater attract more retirees.  

Median ages in the Tampa Bay region: 

  • Hillsborough: 37.2 
  • Pinellas: 48.1 
  • Pasco: 44.5 
  • Hernando: 49  

Gasparilla: A Pirate Invasion 

New Orleans has nothing on Tampa during Gasparilla Pirate Fest celebrations!  About 400,00 revelers crowd together to snag beads and watch the pirate parade as it winds its way along Bayshore Boulevard and downtown Tampa.  

Named after Jose Gaspar (a mythical pirate), Gasparilla has been attracting partygoers since 1904.  

Local tip: If you have children, we recommend the Children’s Gasparilla Parade, which usually takes place a week prior, but with a smaller crowd, and no alcohol is allowed.  

Tampa is a City of Champions 

In 2021, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers became Super Bowl Champions, and our hockey team, The Tampa Bay Lightning won the Stanley Cup. Plus, we can’t forget to mention that our baseball team, The Tampa Bay Rays, beat the New York Yankees to win the American League pennant. We’re called CHAMPA Bay for a reason!  

Unparalleled Beaches  

Tampa Bay has some of the best beaches in the country and the world. We aren’t biased, it’s the truth! Tampa Bay’s beaches have been top-rated for years for their sugary white sand, beautiful sunsets, and warm crystal-clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico.  

You’ll Wish You Were Retired  

There is so much to do in Tampa Bay that you’ll wish you were retired! Besides beaches and fun outdoor activities, right outside of Hillsborough County is home to lush Florida wilderness. St Petersburg is brimming with museums and there are amazing restaurants across the area.  

From aquariums to the Busch Gardens theme park, Tampa’s Riverwalk, beaches, museums, and 7th Avenue in Ybor City, there is so much to do! (And this list is just the tip of the iceberg!)  

Move to Tampa Bay with Florida’s Best  

With Tampa as our home base, our team at Florida’s Best Moving are experts on Tampa Bay! We love our area and know that you will too. If you are planning a move to our beautiful area, call on our professional movers for packing and unpacking help, storage solutions, and stress-free moves! 

Ready for a moving quote? Fill out the form below or call our team at (813) 485-6580!