Living in Tampa: What to Know Before Moving to Tampa, FL
Depending on where you are moving from, you can expect your new life in Tampa to be quite a bit different than what you’ve previously known.
The Climate
Tampa sits within the humid subtropical climate zone that is dominant throughout the South Eastern United States. The summers are hot and often humid with temperatures reaching into the 90-degree range and sometimes even the triple digits. The fall and winter months are drier and cooler with highs in the 60 to 70-degree range.
There is an average rainfall of about 50 inches a year which is near twice the average for the nation. Sporadic, torrential rains and thunderstorms begin in May and last through October. Winters are dry, and snowfall is almost entirely unheard of in Florida.
The biggest concern for most new residents is the fear of hurricanes and tropical storms. While all of Florida endures strong winds from the sea and weak tornadoes inland every season, Tampa is out of the direct path for the worst of it. The last time even a minor category one hurricane made landfall near Tampa was way back in 1946.
State and Local Taxes
Florida is one of seven states in the union that does not impose an individual income tax on residents. Wealthy retirees from high tax states favor relocating to this southern haven for this very reason.
Florida does impose a corporate income tax on certain businesses and organizations. The rate is 5.5%, and it applies to all domestic and foreign corporations doing business in the state. Nonprofits often qualify for an exemption. Companies must also pay a small reemployment tax to fund state employee programs. Other states refer to this tax as an unemployment tax, and it serves much the same function. Florida repealed additional taxes on intangibles, like investments, in 2007 freeing funds to move quickly between opportunities.
As a city inside Hillsborough County, Tampa residents pay 8.5% in sales tax. The statewide sales tax rate is only 6%, but the county adds another 2.5% to fund the local government. Expect a few excise taxes on essential items like fuel and communications which also increase public revenues.
Most cities governments in Florida generate revenue from property taxes. In Tampa, the average rate is 1.09% with the average homeowner paying approximately $2200 a year. This rate is slightly below the national average.
Transportation and Traffic
Three major Interstate Freeways take you through and around Tampa. Interstate 4 starts in Dayton Beach along the Atlantic coast and cuts southwest through Orlando before ending in the middle of downtown Tampa. Interstate 75 runs north to south through the state terminating in Miami. You might drive all the way up to Canada if you cared to follow this winding stretch of pavement that far north. Interstate 275 branches off from Interstate 75 and wraps around Tampa to the west taking you through St Petersburg. Cross over the Tampa Bay on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge to join Interstate 75 again.
Along with Hillsborough Ave, Interstate 275 has the worst commuter traffic in the region. Like most major cities, freeways pack full of cars beginning at about 7:00 AM and again at 3:30 PM on the weekdays. Things quiet down again after two or three hours of bumper to bumper madness.
Although not nearly as bad as the traffic you might encounter in New York or Los Angeles, the average commute time is one hour. The city encourages carpooling and the use of public transportation. The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) Authority offers local bus and express commuter bus services as well as a vanpool matching service.
The Cost of Living
Overall, the cost of living in Tampa is low compared to other urban centers but about average as compared to the rest of the United States. A two-bedroom apartment might cost slightly more than $1300 a month. The median home value is $225,000. Property and rental rates increased steadily over the past several years, but the markets appear to be cooling off.
The biggest obstacle to affordability most encounter is mediocre wages. Median household income is just above the $50,000 mark. That salary estimate is underwhelming for a large city with a bustling seaport, stable economy, and an unemployment rate of only 3.4%.
Job Markets
The first primary industry in Tampa was cigar manufacturing supported by imports of tobacco from island nations in the Caribbean. While this trade still has historical and aesthetic significance, producers no longer dominate the local economy like they once did.
Tampa has diversified its economy over the past several decades to include industrial manufacturing. Lockheed Martin and Boeing both have facilities in the area. For the healthcare industry, Bay Healthcare Systems and the Tampa General Hospital are two of the largest employers in the area, and JP Morgan Chase is the biggest financial services provider.
With a seaport and an international airport, Tampa hosts a foreign trade zone supporting jobs in warehousing, transportation, and shipping. Local agriculture supports jobs in the ornamental flowers business and food production. Two industrial breweries, Anheuser-Busch and Pabst, have facilities in Tampa as well.
The tourism and hospitality industries are also active. With theme parks, exotic animal zoos, and historical monuments, the Tampa area offers visitors plenty to see and do. An army of service industry employees supports these amenities.
Things to Do
Whether you’re single or have a family with school-aged children, you’ll find there’s always something to do in Tampa, FL.
Busch Gardens is an African themed amusement park in the northern section of town. It features rides, exotic animals, and live performances. Adventure Island is a waterpark with slides, pools, and lazy rivers. The Florida Aquarium is also in Tampa and focuses its education and conservation efforts on improving the Tampa Bay area. View Manatees at the Tampa Electric Manatee Viewing Center. See tigers and other exotic cats at the Big Cat Rescue. Visit Lowery Park Zoo for a glimpse of other fascinating critters.
For sports enthusiasts, the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers play at Raymond James Stadium just east of the airport. The MLB’s Tampa Bay Rays play at Tropicana Field across the harbor in St. Petersburg. For Hockey fans, watch the Lighting on the ice at the Amalie Arena downtown.
There are also lots of opportunities to get outdoors and explore. Relax on any number of the white sand beaches Florida is famous for, and cruise around the bay on a rented harbor bike. Explore bayous, wetlands, and mangroves at the Hillsborough State Park, or stroll along the Tampa Riverwalk.