The Best Neighborhoods To Live In Tampa

Tampa is a great city. Sitting alongside two beautiful bays and close to the beach, it is a gorgeous place to both live and work. If you’re looking to live in Tampa, you may be wondering where the best place to live might be.

As a well-established city, Tampa has both historic neighborhoods and up-and-coming communities. Neighborhoods like Hyde Park have gorgeous historic homes and plenty of restaurants and shopping - but tend to be more expensive. Newer neighborhoods like the Channel District are still emerging but are a more affordable way to live on the water close to downtown.

At Eaton Realty, we work collaboratively with our clients to help them find the house that is right for them. If you want to buy or rent, we can help you find the right home in the perfect neighborhood. Read on to learn more about some of the best neighborhoods in Tampa.

Want to learn even more about neighborhoods to buy or invest in in Tampa? Contact us to speak with an experienced Tampa realtor.

Why Live in Tampa?

Known as the Big Guava, Cigar City, and the Lightning Capital of the World, Tampa is part of the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metropolitan area - often referred to as the Tampa Bay Area. The city of Tampa has a population of 398,173, making it the third-largest city in Florida.

One of the biggest reasons that people decide to live in Tampa is its weather. The city gets an average of 246 days of sunshine each year. With mild winters, it is an excellent place for golfers, runners, anglers, bikers, and boaters to enjoy the outdoors year-round. Of course, the summers are often hot and humid - but fortunately, the ocean is a short drive away, and many homes and communities have pools.

The pristine beaches along the Gulf of Mexico are just a 30-minute drive from downtown Tampa. Residents can often cool off on the water of Old Tampa Bay, Hillsborough Bay, or the Hillsborough River that winds southward through the city.

Tampa is a relatively young city, with just 12.8% of the population aged 65 or older. It is also incredibly diverse, giving Tampa a unique charm and culture. The city is full of great things to do, from picking up hand-rolled cigars in Ybor City to checking out a Tampa Bay Buccaneers football game to grabbing a bite to eat at one of the many trendy restaurants in Hyde Park.

The cost of living in Tampa is slightly lower than the national average regarding housing and utilities. The median home price comes in at $436,033, while the median rent is $1,326 per month. While many suburbs of Tampa are affordable, you can often find a fantastic deal in the city itself.

Best Tampa Neighborhoods to Rent or Buy a Home

If you have decided to live in Tampa, your first question is where you will rent or buy a home. Tampa has a lot of unique neighborhoods, including gated communities and even neighborhoods geared toward retirees.

The right neighborhood for you depends on several factors, including where you work, your budget, whether you have kids, and how big of a place you want. Our goal with this post is to provide you with the information you need to determine what neighborhoods might be great for you. Below, we are breaking down what we believe to be the best neighborhoods in Tampa to help you get started on your search.

Hyde Park

This charming neighborhood is located in the heart of the city. Hyde Park has historical homes, luxurious high-rises, and large mansions. The tree-lined streets have plenty to offer, including shopping, fine dining, and nightlife.

Hyde Park is great for young professionals, families, and older people. However, all of its amenities come at a steep price. The median sale price for homes in this neighborhood comes in at a steep $1,635,000 - a 23.9% increase since 2022.

Harbour Island

On Harbour Island, you can live in Hillsborough Bay and get to downtown Tampa via a short walk across the bridge. This island mostly features private residential spaces strictly secured behind gates with 24-hr manned security. There are also plenty of restaurants and bars, too. Because it’s on an island, there are also great views and tons of opportunities to spend time on the water.

Homes on Harbour Island include condos, large single-family homes, and 55+ communities. The median sale price for a home in this neighborhood is $650,000, a 2.6% decrease from 2022.

Davis Islands

Located on man-made islands in Hillsborough Bay, Davis Islands is known as a retreat for the wealthy. In fact, football superstar Tom Brady once lived on Davis Islands. It features plenty of beach and water access, with the ability to get to the city proper quickly.

There are all types of homes on Davis Islands, from relatively modest bungalows built in the ’50s to mansions on the bay. Unsurprisingly, these homes don’t come cheap. The median sale price for a house on Davis Islands is $1,000,000 - a 34.4% decrease from 2022.

South Howard (SoHo)

South Howard - or as it’s also known, SoHo - attracts many young professionals to the neighborhood bars. Technically located within Hyde Park, SoHo is considered a destination for anyone interested in nightlife. Within South Howard, you’ll also find a great stretch of sidewalk along Bayshore Boulevard - perfect for walking your dog, riding a bike, or jogging.

In SoHo, you can find townhouses, apartments, and single-family homes. Its increasing popularity as a destination has caused housing prices to increase by 56.1% over the past year, with the median sale price coming in at $835,000 in 2023.

Palma Ceia

Located in the heart of Tampa, Palma Ceia is a favorite among young people. There are great bars and restaurants here. It’s also adjacent to Hillsborough Bay, offering prime outdoor recreation opportunities.

Houses in Palma Ceia include everything from large, new-construction mansions to apartments and townhouses. It is a pricier area of the city, with the median sale price of homes at $985,000 in 2023 (an increase of 8.2% from 2022).

Downtown Tampa

In the past, Downtown Tampa became a ghost town once workers left their offices to head home for the day. Today, revitalization efforts have made it a great place to live. Massive investment has transformed the downtown landscape over the last few years and meticulous planning has transformed what was once a working harbor into a first-class urban area with lots of attention spent on creating a vibrant city. There is a lot to do downtown, from paddling on the water to visiting a museum to spending time in a park.

If you want to live downtown, your options will almost exclusively be high-rise apartments or condos. The median sale price for units in downtown Tampa is $515,000, a 0.5% increase from 2022.

Ballast Point

If you’re looking for a suburban feel within Tampa, then Ballast Point might be a great option. While it does have condos for sale, it also features many single-family homes. Located along Hillsborough Bay, you will have quick access to the water in Ballast Point. It is situated just north of MacDill Air Force Base.

Homes in Ballast Point are surprisingly affordable. While you can buy a larger, more expensive house, this neighborhood's median sale price is $618,000. This number represents a 5.6% increase since 2022.

Tampa Palms

Branching off from its neighbor New Tampa, Tampa Palms is located in the northern part of the city. It has houses of all types, from spacious mansions to smaller apartments and condos - and at all price points. With more green space than many Tampa neighborhoods, Tampa Palms is a great place to live if you want to get away from the bustle of city life - but still be close to downtown.

Houses in Tampa Palms are generally affordable. The 2023 median sale price was $425,000, a 19.8% decrease from 2022.

Ybor City

When you think of Ybor City, your mind might go to the nightlife. It’s true that Ybor City has a lot of nightclubs and bars and hosts street festivals and parades, celebrating many occasions throughout the year. It is also home to a lot of artists, making it a great place to check out art galleries or just live amongst creatives.

Ybor City is most popular with younger people who prefer to live in a more lively area. Many of the houses available are apartments or condos, although there are some single-family homes in the neighborhood. Ybor City is affordable, with a median sale price of $332,000 in 2023 (up 10.4% since 2022).

Channel District

Along the Ybor Channel, you’ll find the Channel District. This neighborhood mostly features high-rise condos and apartments. In recent years, it has undergone a revitalization, becoming a hub for art and entertainment. It’s a great place to grab a cocktail along the water.

Located right next to downtown, the Channel District is also close to Ybor City, a short trolley ride away. Houses here are still fairly affordable, at a median price of $485,000. This price is a decrease of 25.4% from 2022.

Old Seminole Heights

Old Seminole Heights is situated in the northern part of Tampa. In recent years, it has changed quite a bit. While it is still a great residential neighborhood, there are now a lot of art galleries, restaurants, and bars. Many families and professionals live in Old Seminole Heights in a mix of single-family homes and apartments.

Homes in this neighborhood are very affordable, although the prices are increasing slightly. In 2023, the median sale price in Old Seminole Heights was $375,000, a 3.6% increase from 2022.

Tampa Heights

Just north of downtown Tampa, you’ll find Tampa Heights. This neighborhood is still in the process of being redeveloped but offers plenty to do. Within Tampa Heights, you can shop, dine out, and visit a more sedate bar without worrying about boisterous partiers. Armature Works is the most notable attraction, with a large food hall and several restaurants overlooking the Hillsborough River. Still, there are other hidden gems to discover throughout the neighborhood that are worth a visit: Grab a slice at Lee’s Grocery or round up some friends for a game of indoor shuffleboard at Shuffle. Tampa Heights is centrally located so that you can get to almost anywhere in the city easily.

Tampa Heights mostly offers single-family homes, although townhouses and condos are also available. Housing prices in the region are still relatively low at a median of $494,500. However, this number represents an increase of 20.6% from 2022.

Port Tampa City

Located along Old Tampa Bay, Port Tampa City is another up-and-coming neighborhood in Tampa. There are plenty of older houses here, along with new construction. You’ll have easy access to the water and MacDill Air Force Base here.

The housing market in Port Tampa City is relatively stable, with the median home price of $475,000 staying stable from 2022 to 2023.

Want to Live in Tampa? We’re Here to Help

City living can be absolutely fantastic - and it doesn’t have to mean living in a high-rise apartment building. There are a lot of unique neighborhoods in Tampa, from nightlife hotspot Ybor City to the quieter Tampa Palms. The key is to find a neighborhood that works for your lifestyle. Our listing directory allows you to browse the newest homes listed in the Tampa Bay area. 

Based in Lithia, the Tampa realtors at Eaton Realty work with clients to help them find the house that is right for them. With more than 20 years of experience in Hillsborough County real estate, we are adept at helping individuals and families buy or rent a home that meets their needs. If you’d like to learn more, fill out our online contact form or give us a call at 813-672-8022 to talk to a member of our real estate team.