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Tampa, FL

Tampa, FL

Downtown Tampa, Florida · Photo: Clément Bardot, CC BY-SA 4.0

Connerton is part of the Tampa area. This page covers the whole metro.

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Everyday life
Shops, cafes, and daily routines
Hobbies & activities
Trails, parks, and pastimes
Nearby scenery
Lakes, overlooks, and drives

Photos and reviews come from Google Maps and show single places, not the whole area. Reviews are the most relevant ones Google returns for each place. We show the longest highly rated review under 400 characters and, when there is one, the longest low-rated review. Google doesn't verify reviews but removes fake ones when it finds them.

Around Tampa

Serengeti Express & Cheetah Hunt
Serengeti Express & Cheetah Hunt · Photo: Jeremy Thompson, CC BY 2.0
Raymond James Stadium
Centro Ybor and streetcar, Ybor City, Tampa, Florida
Centro Ybor and streetcar, Ybor City, Tampa, Florida · Photo: Peter K Burian, CC BY-SA 4.0
The Courtney Campbell Causeway across Tampa Bay
The Courtney Campbell Causeway across Tampa Bay · Photo: Andrew Heneen, CC BY 4.0
A photograph of the exterior of George M
A photograph of the exterior of George M · Photo: w:User:VitaleBaby, Public domain
Image originally published in Queer Places: Retracing the Steps of LGBTQ people around...
Image originally published in Queer Places: Retracing the Steps of LGBTQ people around... · Photo: Elisa.rolle, CC BY-SA 4.0
Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida in November 2016
Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida in November 2016 · Photo: Miosotis Jade, CC BY-SA 4.0
Downtown Tampa, Florida
Downtown Tampa, Florida · Photo: Clément Bardot, CC BY-SA 4.0
Big Bend Power Station near Apollo Beach, Florida
Big Bend Power Station near Apollo Beach, Florida · Photo: Wknight94 talk, CC BY-SA 3.0
Aerial view of west Tampa, Florida from near the Tampa end of the Howard Frankland Bridge
Aerial view of west Tampa, Florida from near the Tampa end of the Howard Frankland Bridge · Photo: Wknight94 talk, CC BY-SA 3.0
With the skyline of downtown Tampa as a backdrop, an Amtrak train sits along the...
With the skyline of downtown Tampa as a backdrop, an Amtrak train sits along the... · Photo: TampAGS , for AGS Media, CC BY-SA 3.0
Taken by W
Taken by W · Photo: User:Wslupecki, Public domain

What Tampa is known for

Every year

MarRiver O'Green Fest: Saint Patrick's Day event with dyed green rivertampa.gov

JulBoom by the Bay: Independence Day fireworks displaytampa.gov

Gasparilla Pirate Festival: Pirate themed festival with invasion and paradeen.wikipedia.org

On a normal week

Walking or biking the Tampa Riverwalken.wikipedia.org

Walking along Bayshore Boulevard sidewalken.wikipedia.org

Visiting Curtis Hixon Waterfront Parktampa.gov

More towns near Tampa
Ranks the towns around it by your budget and what you love doing.
Tends to love it
Tends to struggle
Where locals disagree: Dining scene quality. Some residents love the local food and coffee scene while others find it overpriced or overhyped.
Where locals disagree: Healthcare experience. Tampa General is praised by some as the best option but criticized by others for long wait times.
The vibe
Outdoor adventure hub
"One resident favors Triple Creek Preserve, Lake Dan, and Hammock Park as quieter spots away from crowds."
Art and culture rich
"One resident noted that The Bricks displays and sells art from local artists on its walls."
Rising living costs
"One resident said Tampa property taxes are around 2 percent and insurance is expensive due to hurricane risk."
A day in the life
Centro Ybor and streetcar, Ybor City, Tampa, Florida
Centro Ybor and streetcar, Ybor City, Tampa, Florida · Photo: Peter K Burian, CC BY-SA 4.0
Morning
Food and coffee

Kaleisia Tea and Ginger Beard Coffee were recommended as lovely coffee spots downtown.

A local says

“Ginger Beard Coffee is downtown and is a great spot for this.”

Midday
Outdoors and trails

One resident says Hillsborough county has the cheapest kayak rentals, around twenty five dollars for four hours at Lettuce Lake.

A local says

“Hillsborough county has the cheapest kayak rentals in the area, like $25/4 hours”

Evening
Nightlife and social

Armature Works was recommended as a chill, low pressure date spot with good food and bars.

A local says

“The walk, the food, and the bars make it a 10/10 for low stakes, no pressure.”

Will I find my people?
Raymond James Stadium

From 7 resident comments about meeting people and the social scene.

187 events in the next 30 days
Within 20 miles, ticketed events listed on Ticketmaster. Mostly music (22), arts & theatre (17), sports (6), other (5)
Theatre 8Rock 5Hip-Hop/Rap 4Dance 4Metal 3Classical 3Alternative 2Football 2
Event listings from Ticketmaster; kinds counted over the next 50 listed. Free and community events aren't included.
How residents meet people

One resident recommends joining the Tampa Bay Young Professionals Meetup group, noting it helped them make long time friends.

In their words

“Please join Meetup, the Tampa Bay Young Professionals group - it has 6,000 Members alone. I used to be a host and met lots of long time friends...”

Read the full commentAbout 3 years ago. Things may have changed since.

One resident suggests using Meetup or Eventbrite and joining run clubs, while noting that making adult friends is tough.

In their words

“I would suggest looking at meetup.com or Eventbrite. Making adult friends is tough. Run clubs are also good. ing political affiliation groups.”

Read the full commentAbout 3 months ago
Dating
Residents aged 20 to 34
21.4% (U.S.: 20.2%)
Main county, 2024 Census (ACS 5-year)

One resident describes Tampa dating as a numbers game of quantity before finding quality, citing many themed bars and social activities in the area.

In their words

“Tampa is a quantity dating until you find a good match for quality dating. There's a lot of social activities in Tampa and St Pete, themed bar...”

Read the full commentAbout a year ago

One resident finds it hard to find a partner or even friends due to the sprawl and older average age

In their words

“I find it a really difficult place to find a partner, even friends, between the extremely sprawled area and the fact that the average age is over 35,...”

Read the full commentAbout 5 years ago. Things may have changed since.
The social scene

Armature Works was recommended as a chill, low pressure date spot with good food and bars.

In their words

“Armature Works is great for a chill date! The walk, the food, and the bars make it a 10/10 for low stakes, no pressure. Highly recommended!”

Read the full commentAbout 4 months ago

One resident says Dunderbak's is doing well and now brews its own beer in house.

In their words

“Dunderbak's is flourishing. I work in New Tampa and go there regularly. They're even brewing their own beer in-house now.”

Read the full commentAbout 6 years ago. Things may have changed since.

One resident is trying to visit every going out location in and around Tampa, listing Saint Pete Downtown, Ybor, Soho, and Armature Works so far.

In their words

“I'm trying to hit ever going out location in Tampa and around Tampa. So far I have been to:...”

Read the full commentAbout 5 years ago. Things may have changed since.
What people wish they'd known about Tampa

One resident warned this is a transient area where no one cares about you until they know you, and advised not to complain about humidity.

In their words

“No one cares, at least until they get to know you. This is a revolving door transient area. Don't ever bitch about the humidity in the check out...”

Read the full commentAbout 13 years ago. Things may have changed since.
Will I fit in?
Walkability
Below average walkability
10.43 on a 1 to 20 scale, averaged across the metro. More walkable than 84% of U.S. metros.
EPA National Walkability Index
Median age
37.9
Half of residents are older, half younger
2024 Census (ACS 5-year)
How the county voted, 2024
50.9% Republican, 47.8% Democrat
Hillsborough County, presidential race
2024 presidential results by county
Crimes reported to the FBI each year
227 violent crimes per 100,000 people
Florida overall: 345. Violent crimes are murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault. Property crimes (burglary, theft, car theft): 806 per 100,000. Hillsborough County
FBI, 2024
City LGBTQ+ laws and policies
100 out of 100
Human Rights Campaign's Municipal Equality Index rates a city's non-discrimination laws, services and policies, not how people feel.
LGBTQ community
Institute for LGBT Health and Wellbeing is located in Tampa.
Source: instituteforlgbthealth.org
Tampa Bay LGBT Chamber represents LGBTQ businesses across the Tampa Bay region since 1983.
Source: tampabaylgbtchamber.org
Pride of Tampa holds a festival at the Cuban Club in Ybor City, Tampa.
Source: eventeny.com
Tampa Pride Festival and Diversity Parade has been put on a one-year hiatus.
Source: tampapride.org
What residents say about the community

One resident mentioned their wife enjoys community oriented activities like farmers markets, artsy local spots, and organic shops.

In their words

“My wife is really into “community” events like local farmers markets or anything related to that/ local artsy places, organic shops etc. I...”

Read the full commentAbout 8 months ago
Jobs and money
Employers in your field

About 11,513 business locations in the Tampa area, employing about 209,893 people. That's about the usual U.S. share.

U.S. Census County Business Patterns, 2023. Counts business locations with paid employees, not job openings.

Median household income
$75,011
2023 Census (ACS)
Cost of living
About the US average
2024, BEA
Common jobs and what they pay
Retail salesperson · 45,130 people$33,790/yr
Registered nurse · 38,720 people$85,470/yr
General and operations manager · 35,700 people$103,670/yr
Customer service rep · 34,150 people$42,660/yr
Fast food and counter worker · 33,910 people$29,260/yr
Cashier · 25,820 people$30,290/yr
Waiter or waitress · 25,280 people$37,070/yr
Office clerk · 23,680 people$45,680/yr
Median yearly pay for the whole metro, 2025, BLS.
What residents say

The job market was described as more saturated than cities like Austin or Atlanta.

In their words

“The job market in Tampa Bay is more saturated than say Austin or Atlanta. Try USAA, Citi, DTCC, Baycare, Bank of America, Chase, and Raymond...”

Read the full commentAbout 3 years ago. Things may have changed since.

One resident said Tampa employers still offer salaries from fifty thousand to eighty thousand dollars, with entry level corporate jobs around fifty thousand

In their words

“Tampa employers will still throw around $50k to $80k salaries. Entry level corporate jobs pay around $50k, experienced professionals can get...”

Read the full commentIn the last few months
A year here
The Courtney Campbell Causeway across Tampa Bay
The Courtney Campbell Causeway across Tampa Bay · Photo: Andrew Heneen, CC BY 4.0

Pick a month. A dot means residents talked about that time of year.

October
Average high 85°F, low 68°F
About 2.5 inches of rain and snow
Clouds cover about 47% of the sky (a mix of sun and clouds)
Over a year: about 73 days at 90°F or hotter and 1 nights at or below freezing. Plan on central air: summer power bills run high here. Winters are a mix of sun and clouds: clouds cover about 52% of the sky from December to February, and 64% in summer.
1991 to 2020 averages, NOAA climate data (ACIS). Cloud cover: NASA POWER, 2001 to 2025
About this time of year

Fall brings a warm, dry season with temperatures gradually cooling into the mid-70s.

From a weather source, not a resident
What locals say
Based on 40 resident comments on Reddit.
Resident testimonyFood and coffee

Kaleisia Tea and Ginger Beard Coffee were recommended as lovely coffee spots downtown.

In their words

“Best coffee shops in Tampa. Kaleisia Tea on Fletcher is lovely. Ginger Beard Coffee is downtown and is a great spot for this. Spot Coffee...”

Read the full commentAbout 9 months ago
Resident testimonyFood and coffee

One commenter listed Buddy Brew, Kahwa, and Shortwave among solid local coffee bean sources.

In their words

“Solid: Buddy Brew, Kahwa, Blazing Bean, Shortwave, Treehouse, Pour Decisions - If I want to make a sweet latte, these are the beans I turn to.”

Read the full commentAbout 6 months ago
Resident testimonyNightlife and social

Armature Works was recommended as a chill, low pressure date spot with good food and bars.

In their words

“Armature Works is great for a chill date! The walk, the food, and the bars make it a 10/10 for low stakes, no pressure. Highly recommended!”

Read the full commentAbout 4 months ago
Resident testimonyJobs and work

The job market was described as more saturated than cities like Austin or Atlanta.

In their words

“The job market in Tampa Bay is more saturated than say Austin or Atlanta. Try USAA, Citi, DTCC, Baycare, Bank of America, Chase, and Raymond...”

Read the full commentAbout 3 years ago. Things may have changed since.

“I truly don’t understand what everyone is relocating here for”

What residents said in a local survey

From the 2023 Community Values Survey.

  • 99.6% of residents recommend Tampa as a place to live.
  • 98% of residents recommend Tampa as a place to raise children.
  • 93% of residents recommend Tampa as a place to work.
Read the survey (tampa.gov)
Where it is
Tampa
Tampa in Florida
Florida in the U.S.
State outlines: U.S. Census Bureau.

What's nearby

Within 5 miles of the center of the Tampa area.

40
grocery stores
200+
restaurants
79
coffee shops
141
parks
86
playgrounds
11
libraries
2
movie theaters
14
live theaters
12
museums
16
bookstores
33
gyms
88
bars
14
pharmacies
7
hospitals

Counts from OpenStreetMap, a volunteer map, so small or new places can be missing. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Biking and trails

Within 5 miles of the center of the Tampa area.

Bike lanes and bike paths
133 miles
more than almost all U.S. towns
Walking and hiking trails
35 miles
more than most U.S. towns

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Counts depend on how well local volunteers have mapped the area, so treat them as a rough guide.

What rent costs

Of about 407,243 rented homes in the Tampa area, 78% rent for under $2,000 a month and 96% for under $3,000.

Under $1,000: 16%
$1,000 to $1,499: 34%
$1,500 to $1,999: 28%
$2,000 to $2,499: 14%
$2,500 to $2,999: 5%
$3,000 or more: 4%

Census American Community Survey 2019 to 2023 (table B25063). Gross rent includes utilities the renter pays. Today's asking rents for open apartments usually run higher.

What moving costs

Hiring movers

Average cost: $1,946

From a 2025 survey of 1,000 people who hired movers. This Old House. Your quote depends on your stuff, stairs and the time of year.

Moving in as a renter

The middle rented home in the Tampa area rents for $1,000 to $1,499 a month. Before you get the keys, expect about $2,000 to $2,998 for first month plus a deposit, or up to $3,000 to $4,497 where landlords also ask for last month.

Many landlords want your income to be about 3 times the rent. For $1,000 to $1,499, that's a yearly income of about $36,000 to $53,964.

Estimate from Census rent data (2019 to 2023, rent plus tenant-paid utilities). Deposits and fees vary by landlord and state law.

Moving to Florida: before and after

  • Forward your mail: USPS change of address. It costs about $1 online to confirm who you are.
  • Switch your driver's license and car registration. Each state sets its own deadline, often somewhere between 10 days and a few months after you move. Find the Florida DMV.
  • Register to vote at your new address: Florida voter registration.
  • Set up power, gas, water and trash. Some cities bill water and trash together, and some ask new customers for a deposit.
  • Update your address with your bank, employer, insurance and the IRS (Form 8822 if you're not filing soon).
  • Find a doctor and dentist early. New-patient waits can be weeks, even in big cities.

Public schools

One public school district serves this county, with about 224,538 students. Which one serves a home depends on its address.

Hillsborough · Tampa
224,538 students · 18.1 students per teacher · 309 schools · grades Pre-K to 12

NCES Common Core of Data 2022-23, National Center for Education Statistics. Varro doesn't rate or rank schools. For test results and programs, see each district's site and your state's school report card.

Childcare and colleges

Daycare and preschool

Florida keeps an official list of licensed childcare, with inspection reports and openings in many states. In a lot of towns, infant spots fill up months ahead, so it helps to get on waitlists before you move.

Typical full-time prices in this county (2022)
AgeDaycare centerHome daycare
Infant (under 2)$240/week
about $12,500 a year
$175/week
about $9,100 a year
Toddler (2)$190/week
about $9,900 a year
Preschool (3 to 4)$175/week
about $9,100 a year
$150/week
about $7,800 a year
School-age$125/week
about $6,500 a year

For an infant at a center: $240/week here, $225 across FL, $259 across the U.S.. Full-time infant care at a center here costs about 15% of a typical family's income. These are 2022 prices, the newest the government has published by county, and prices have gone up since.

U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices, 2022. Middle (median) price for full-time care. State and U.S. figures average the county prices, weighted by population (Census 2024).
Search licensed childcare in Florida →
Link via childcare.gov (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services).

12 colleges in the county and the wider metro around Tampa. Prices are yearly tuition and fees for full-time undergrads, before financial aid.

University of South Florida · Tampa
Public, 4-year · 48,572 students · $6,410 in-state, $17,324 out-of-state
Hillsborough Community College · Tampa
Public, 4-year · 20,004 students · $2,489 in-state, $9,099 out-of-state
The University of Tampa · Tampa
Private nonprofit, 4-year · 11,054 students · $33,424 a year
Florida College · Temple Terrace
Private nonprofit, 4-year · 657 students · $18,920 a year
Herzing University-Tampa · Tampa
Private nonprofit, 4-year · 237 students · $13,420 a year

Moving for school? Public colleges charge state residents much less. Most states want you to have lived there about 12 months, for reasons other than school, before you count as a resident for tuition. The rules differ by state, so check with the college's registrar.

IPEDS 2023-24, National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS). Degree-granting public and nonprofit schools with 100+ students. Varro doesn't rank colleges.

The facts behind it
Typical home value
$358,706
What a typical home sells for across the Tampa area.
Source: Zillow Home Value Index, August 2026
Cost of living
About 1% above the U.S. average
Everyday prices (rent, groceries, services) run about $101 here for what costs $100 nationally.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis price index 100.9 (U.S. = 100), 2024
Average commute
28 minutes one way
How long residents' trips to work take on average, counting every job and way of getting there. U.S. average: about 27 minutes.
Source: U.S. Census (American Community Survey), 2023
Data centers nearby
3 within 15 miles
The nearest is about 2.8 miles from the town center (Flexential). The largest is about 97,000 sq ft.
Source: PNNL IM3 Data Center Atlas, from OpenStreetMap (ODbL), loaded July 2026
Homeowners insurance
About $7,136 a year
The statewide average for a typical policy in FL. Your own quote will depend on the home.
Source: Statewide estimate, 2026
Natural disaster risk
Relatively High
FEMA's overall rating for the county, covering floods, storms, wildfire, earthquakes and more.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025
Hail risk
Relatively High
Hail is a real cost here: roof claims are common and some insurers charge a separate, higher deductible for wind and hail. Covered parking helps protect a car.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025
Hospitals nearby
7 within 5 miles
Hospitals mapped within 5 miles of the center. Emergency and specialty care vary, so check which ones fit your needs.
Source: OpenStreetMap (ODbL)
Drug overdose deaths (county)
16.7 per 100,000 people a year
264 deaths in the 12 months ending March 2026. FL average: 17.1 per 100,000. U.S.: 19.9. Counts are by where people lived, and recent months may still be updated.
Source: CDC National Center for Health Statistics, provisional counts through March 2026; Census population estimates 2024
People without housing (local count)
About 11.4 per 10,000 residents
HUD's one-night count in January 2025 found 1,796 people without housing in the Tampa/Hillsborough County area: 950 in shelters and 846 outside, down from 1,893 in 2024. FL: 11.9 per 10,000. U.S.: 21.9. One-night counts miss people, and how areas count differs.
Source: HUD Point-in-Time Count, January 2025 (HUD, 2025 report to Congress); Census population estimates 2024
Median household income
$75,011
Half of households in the county earn more than this, half earn less.
Source: U.S. Census (American Community Survey), 2023
Property tax
0.84% of home value a year
About $840 a year for every $100,000 of home value.
Source: U.S. Census (American Community Survey), 2023
State income tax
No state income tax
FL's state income tax. Some cities and counties add their own.
Source: 2026

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