Tampa Vs. Houston: Which Is Better To Live In?

If you’re considering moving to the South but aren’t sure where you want to live, you may have a few cities on your list. Two of the bigger cities in the South - Tampa and Houston - don’t have much in common. Yet both are great options if you want great food, access to sports and recreation, and more.

Both Tampa and Houston have a lot to offer. They’re both young, diverse cities with a lower cost of living. Houston is one of the largest cities in the country, while Tampa is a much more manageable city. Given Tampa’s better weather, proximity to the beach, and recreation opportunities, we think Tampa is a far better choice for a place to live.

Based in Lithia, Eaton Realty works with clients looking to buy or sell real estate in Hillsborough County. We happen to think that Tampa is a great place to live, and we share our love for the region with our clients as we help them through the house-hunting process. Reach out today to talk to a Tampa real estate agent about your West Central Florida property search.

Deciding Where To Move? Compare Your Options With A Local Tampa Realtor › 813-672-8022

Tampa vs. Houston: Where Is the Best Place to Live?

Deciding where to live can be challenging. If you’re fortunate enough to have some flexibility, you may need help narrowing down your options. Below, we compare two popular cities: Houston, Texas, and Tampa, Florida.

Cost of Living

When it comes to the cost of living, Houston has the edge. The cost of living in Houston is relatively low - 8% lower than the national average. This includes 18% lower housing costs, 1% lower utility costs, 6% lower grocery costs, and 6% lower transportation expenses.

By comparison, Tampa has an overall cost of living that is equal to the national average. Residents of Tampa pay less for housing and utilities but more for groceries. Transportation costs are approximately the same in Tampa as the national average.

Housing is also less expensive in Houston than in Tampa. The median sale price for a house in Houston in June 2024 was $349,055, compared to $499,450 in Tampa. Similarly, the average monthly rent in Houston is $1,342, compared to $1,920 in Tampa.

While Tampa is more expensive when it comes to housing, that might be a bonus for some people. If you plan to buy a home, the market is strong - and there is a potential for a better return on your investment. But if you are concerned with the overall cost of living, then Houston might be a better choice.

Population

Houston is the largest city in Texas—and the fourth largest in the United States—with an estimated population of 2,314,157. It is a young city, with 11.6% of the population over age 65 and 23.9% under the age of 18. It is also a very diverse city, with 44.8% of the population identifying as Hispanic or Latino, 22.4% as Black, 6.9% as Asian, and 40.8% as White. 28.9% of all Houston residents are foreign-born.

Tampa is the third-largest city in Florida, with an estimated population of 398,173 people. Like Houston, it is a young and diverse city. 13% of all residents are 65 or older, and 20.8% are under the age of 18. 44.1% of the population of Tampa identifies as White, 26.7% identify as Hispanic or Latino, and 21.8% identify as Black. 18.4% of the population of Tampa were born outside of the United States.

Houston’s massive population lives in almost 600 square miles, compared to Tampa’s 114 square miles. As such, Houston’s population density is only slightly higher than Tampa’s. However, there is a significant downside to the large size of Houston - urban sprawl and traffic. Houston is ranked as the 4th worst city for drivers in the United States - while Tampa falls at number 24 on the list.

Both Tampa and Houston are young, diverse cities home to many immigrants. By a small margin, Houston is younger and more diverse than Tampa. However, Tampa is a much smaller city, which appeals to many people. Houston is massive, falling just behind New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago in population size. If you would like to live in a city but don’t want to deal with crowds and crazy traffic, then Tampa is a better option.

Jobs and Economy

Both Houston and Tampa have strong economies. According to U.S. census data, 65.1% of all residents of Tampa aged 16 or older are employed in the civilian workforce. In Houston, 66.9% of all people in the same age range are employed.

The median household income in Tampa is higher than in Houston. In Tampa, the median income is $66,802, compared to $60,440 in Houston. However, there are more employers in Houston, with 55,378 companies compared to 12,425 in Tampa. Of course, Houston is significantly larger than Tampa in terms of physical size and population - so it isn’t surprising that there are more employers in Houston.

Houston’s economy includes strong energy, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and information technology sectors. By comparison, Tampa’s economy focuses on industries such as shipping, health care, finance, technology, and defense. MacDill Air Force Base is located close to Downtown Tampa, which not only provides many jobs but also boosts the local economy.

Both Houston and Tampa have great job markets. Income in Tampa does tend to be higher than in Houston. If you are looking for a job in a particular sector, such as finance, then Tampa might have the advantage over Houston.

Weather

Being in the South, both Houston and Tampa tend to have hot summers and mild winters. However, the heat in Houston tends to be much more intense in the summers, reaching into the high 90s and 100s with high humidity. By comparison, Tampa’s summers are less sweltering, with highs in the low 90s.

Both Houston and Tampa are vulnerable to extreme weather events, including tropical storms and hurricanes. However, Houston has the disadvantage of having a poor energy infrastructure. In recent years, even relatively mild storms have knocked power out for millions of customers for a week or longer. In many ways, Tampa is better able to withstand these types of storms as they’ve focused on hardening their utility infrastructure, mainly by working to bury power lines underground.

While both cities have temperate winters and hot summers, Tampa is more tolerable in the summer compared to Houston. It is also close enough to the beach that you can cool off with a swim - something that isn’t quite as easy to do in Houston.

Things to Do

One of the reasons people move to the South is the mild winters, which often mean that there is plenty to do year-round. Both Tampa and Houston have lots to do but with slightly different vibes.

Houston has great attractions, such as the Downtown Aquarium, the Houston Zoo, the Kemah Boardwalk, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. It is also home to amazing cuisine - including Tex-Mex, Vietnamese, and Cajun cooking. If you’re into professional sports, then you can watch the Houston Astros (MLB), Houston Texans (NFL), Houston Rockets (NBA), Houston Dynamo FC (MLS) and Houston Dash (NWSL).

Houston is home to several parks and nature preserves where you can walk, hike, run, and bike. However, it isn’t close to the ocean. If you want to go to the beach, you’ll need to drive about an hour to a beach town like Galveston along the Gulf of Mexico.

Tampa isn’t directly on the ocean, but it is pretty close. It’s an easy drive to get to a beach from the city. You can also take advantage of all of Tampa’s outdoor recreation opportunities - like boating, fishing, golfing, and strolling along the Tampa Riverwalk. If you’re into paddle boarding or kayaking, there is easy access to the water in old Tampa Bay and other bodies of water.

Like Houston, Tampa has professional sports teams: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL), the Tampa Bay Rays (MLB), the Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL), and the Brentford Football Club (Premier League soccer). Tampa also has amazing restaurants featuring diverse cuisines, including Cuban, Caribbean, and (of course) seafood.

Tampa also has a lot of culture, with the Glazer Children’s Museum, the Tampa Bay History Center, the Museum of Science and Industry, and the Straz Center for the Performing Arts. Busch Gardens is located in Tampa, and Disney World and Universal Studios are a relatively quick drive away.

If you love to spend time outdoors - whether on the water, on the golf course, or at an amusement park - then Tampa beats Houston hands-down in terms of things to do. While both cities have culture, dining, shopping, nightlife, and professional sports, Tampa has the edge when it comes to being outside and having easy access to absolutely gorgeous beaches.

Want to Buy a House in Tampa? Give Eaton Realty a Call

Houston is a great city with a lot going for it—especially when it comes to its food scene! However, for many people, the sheer size of Houston, coupled with its challenging weather, makes it a less-than-ideal place to live. Tampa is a much smaller city that still has a lot to offer, including proximity to beaches, amusement parks, and more.

At Eaton Realty, we know that each client is unique and has their own set of wants and needs. We truly listen to our clients to help them find the best neighborhood and the right house for them. Our Tampa Realtors also use their experience to go beyond just collecting listings; we will break down disclosure and inspection reports, help you negotiate a great deal, and advocate for you through the closing date.

If you want to buy, sell, or rent a house in the Tampa area, we are here to help. We also offer property management services if you want to purchase an investment property in Hillsborough County. To learn more, fill out our online contact form or call us at 813-672-8022 to talk to a real estate team member.