The Most Affordable Tampa Suburbs

There are a lot of perks when it comes to living in the heart of a city - but it isn’t for everyone. Not only do cities like Tampa tend to be crowded, they are often more expensive than suburbs. It isn’t surprising, then, that many people who want more house for their money look outside of Tampa.

There are many great suburbs around the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater region. Whether you want to live closer to the beach or further inland, there is a suburb that is right for you. Our list of the ten most affordable Tampa suburbs is a great place to start searching for your next home, encompassing Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Hillsborough Counties.

Based in Lithia, Eaton Realty works with clients throughout the Tampa area to help them find a house that meets their needs. Whether you are looking to buy or rent, our Tampa realtors can help you find the right house - in the right area for you. Reach out to our real estate firm today to talk to a member of our team about your search for a new house.

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

Should I Live in the City of Tampa or a Tampa Suburb?

As far as cities go, the city of Tampa isn’t massive. With a population of just under 400,000, Tampa is on the smaller side - but it’s still the third-largest city in Florida. Tampa may feel even more crowded during the week, however, as people living in the suburbs commute to work. Even though the actual city of Tampa isn’t huge, the surrounding Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater region is home to over three million residents.

If you have decided to live in the Tampa area, the first decision you may have to make is whether you want to live in the city itself or a suburb. There are pros and cons to city and suburban living, and there is no right answer as to what is best. It all comes down to what is right for you and your family.

The advantages of living in a city like Tampa include more job opportunities, the availability of public transportation, cultural and social diversity, and more opportunities for recreation and things to do. However, there are downsides. Living in a city often costs much more, from housing prices to essentials like groceries and gas. Cities also tend to be more crowded and may have issues like congestion and pollution from traffic.

By contrast, in a suburb, there is less likely to be heavy traffic. You’ll also likely have more space, including larger homes with yards (and even a driveway or garage). In addition, suburbs tend to be less expensive, both in terms of housing and related costs. That being said, the suburbs have disadvantages, including longer commutes, less to do, fewer job opportunities, and fewer people overall (which may be a pro or a con, depending on your personality!)

If you want to buy or rent a home in the Tampa region, consider what you value the most. If your priority is to avoid a commute or to be able to walk or take public transportation, then living in Tampa may be right for you. But a suburb may be a better choice if your primary concern is a bigger house or a quieter living situation.

An experienced realtor in Hillsborough County, Florida can help you narrow your list and find a city or town that works for you. At Eaton Realty, we know that real estate isn’t one-size-fits-all, so we spend time getting to know our clients and their needs before showing them houses for sale or for rent.

The 10 Most Affordable Suburbs in the Tampa Area

There are many good reasons to buy a house in Tampa, but city living isn’t for everyone. Whether you want more space, more house for your money, or simply to be away from the hustle and bustle of city life, you may have decided that you’d rather live in a suburb instead. Fortunately, there are plenty of fantastic suburbs located around Tampa.

Today, our focus is on affordability. While home sales are down overall in Tampa Bay - St. Petersburg, prices remain high. In fact, the median sales prices for Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater are $395,000, which represents a 1.3% increase from 2022. If you’d like a great home for a lower price, our list of affordable Tampa suburbs may be just what you need to get started on your search for a new home.

Holiday

Located approximately 40 minutes from Tampa, Holiday is a great place to live. The median home sale price in Holiday is $232,000, so you won’t be house poor if you choose to live here. You’re still close enough to the city to take advantage of things like a Buccaneers game, but there are also fun things to do close to home, like visiting the nearby Tarpon Springs Aquarium and Animal Sanctuary.

Mango

The small town of Mango is just 15 minutes away from Tampa, with plenty of charm of its own. The median home price in Mango is $271,000. There is also lots to do in the region, such as boating, fishing, kayaking, or exploring the De Soto National Monument.

New Port Richey

In nearby Pasco County, New Port Richey is a great choice for an affordable home with plenty of opportunities to explore nature. This town is approximately 40 minutes from Tampa, closer to the coast. There are some great parks in New Port Richey, including the Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park, Sims Park, and the James E. Grey Preserve.

Pinellas Park

Between St. Petersburg and Clearwater, you’ll find Pinellas Park, a charming city in Pinellas County. Just 20 minutes from Tampa, the median home price is $296,000. There are many cool things to do in Pinellas Park, from visiting the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum to catching a concert at the England Brothers Park to picnicking at Freedom Lake Park.

Mulberry

In Polk County, the small town of Mulberry is another affordable option. Mulberry is about 35 minutes away from Tampa, towards Lakeland. The median home price in this town is $316,250. Mulberry attractions include the Florida Children’s Museum, the Phosphate Museum, and the Mulberry Cultural Center.

Largo

The third-largest city in Pinellas County, homes in Largo sell for a median price of $332,000. This smaller city is just 25 minutes from Tampa, so you can easily hop over to the city for work or play. Popular attractions in Largo include the Florida Botanical Gardens, Heritage Village, and Largo Central Park Nature Preserve.

Zephyrhills

30 minutes east of Tampa, you’ll find the small city of Zephyrhills in Pasco County. There is a lot to do in Zephyrhills, such as the New Tampa Nature Park, the Lake Conservation Park, and the Museum of Science and Industry. Homes here are slightly more expensive, coming in at a median of $343,890.

Seminole

Located near the coast, Seminole is a small town in Pinellas County. Located just 30 minutes from Tampa, the median home price in Seminole is $353,000. The beach is a big attraction here, including Sand Key Park and Cypress Point Park. You can also visit Pier 60 Park for outdoor fun or check out the Museum of Fine Arts.

Ruskin

Located 25 minutes South of Tampa along old Tampa Bay, Ruskin is a charming small town with a storied history. It was part of the chiefdom of the Uzita at the time of the Hernando de Soto expedition in 1539. The median sale price for homes in Ruskin is $353,345. Its main attraction is its proximity to the water, although there are plenty of other fun things to do, like going to the E.G. Simmons Regional Park or checking out the manatee viewing center.

Brandon

Just outside of Tampa, Brandon is a small city in Hillsborough County. It is a short 15-minute drive from the center of Tampa. With a median home price of $355,000, you can save yourself some money by moving a short distance from the city. In addition to the attractions of Tampa, you can spend time at the Galactic Playgrounds Children Science Center or Rotary Park in Brandon.

Considering a Tampa Suburb? Give Us a Call

The suburbs aren’t the right choice for everyone - but they could be for you or your family. If you want to live close to Tampa without the high costs, the traffic, and the crowds, then a suburb in the surrounding areas could be a great option. Towns like Holiday, Mulberry, and Ruskin are much more affordable places to live in the greater Tampa Bay area. Our listing directory can help you browse the latest homes available for sale throughout the Tampa Bay area if you're currently in the market for a home. You can also browse homes in Tampa Bay under $400,000 to find more affordable homes. One of the most affordable ways to own a house would be to house hack. Our Tampa property management team could help you rent a unit on your property to earn passive income that will help you pay your mortgage. 

At Eaton Realty, we help individuals and families buy or rent a townhouse, apartment, condo, or home that is right for them. We have more than 20 years of experience in Hillsborough County and the surrounding areas, which we put to work for our clients to help them find the property that meets their needs. If you’d like to learn more, fill out our online contact form or give us a call at 813-686-7459 to talk to a member of our real estate team.