CostIndexUSA

Columbus, GA vs Tampa, FL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableGA
Columbus
89.3
overall index
$1,250/mo rent
FL
Tampa
100.9
overall index
$1,975/mo rent

Columbus is moderately cheaper than Tampa — 13.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Columbus, you would need $90,400 in Tampa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+105.6%
Columbus
61.2
Tampa
125.8
🛒 Groceries0.8%
Columbus
96.3
Tampa
95.5
🚗 Transportation1.1%
Columbus
103.5
Tampa
102.4
🏥 Healthcare1.0%
Columbus
93.6
Tampa
92.7
Utilities1.3%
Columbus
89.7
Tampa
88.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Columbus to see what you'd need to earn in Tampa to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Tampa, FL
$90,400
$10,400 more needed in Tampa

Formula: salary × (100.9 ÷ 89.3) = salary × 1.1299. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Columbus, GA

Median Home Price
$200,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,250
Housing Index
61.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.3×

Tampa, FL

Median Home Price
$352,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,975
Housing Index
125.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.9×

Tampa has 105.6% higher housing costs compared to Columbus.

Income & Job Market

Columbus, GA

Median Household Income
$54,700
Per Capita Income
$31,200
Unemployment Rate
5.3%
Population
206,922
Top Industries
MilitaryHealthcareManufacturingGovernmentRetail

Tampa, FL

Median Household Income
$72,700
Per Capita Income
$41,400
Unemployment Rate
4.1%
Population
399,700
Top Industries
FinanceHealthcareTourismTechnologyLogistics

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Columbus, GA
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Tampa, FL
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.