Side by side

Tampa vs Raleigh

Raleigh wins on more metrics — 2–5 on the 8 core metrics we track. Detail below.

Metric

Tampa

Raleigh

Cost of living

B vs A: -8%

60✓

Rent · 1BR center

B vs A: -18%

$1,700

$1,400✓

Effective tax (remote)

B vs A: +15%

20%✓

23%

Healthcare

B vs A: +9%

76✓

Safety

B vs A: +20%

72✓

Internet

B vs A: +4%

240

250✓

Climate

B vs A: ≈ same

Freedom

B vs A: -7%

88✓

No state income tax, Gulf coast beaches, and a booming finance/tech corridor. Hurricane and insurance costs matter.

Research Triangle anchor with affordable suburbs, strong public schools, and a fast-growing biotech and tech base.