Base Cost of Living in Tampa? (Brandon, Riverview: apartment, for rent, mortgage)

[ByronicCoward]

Talking to a recruiter about a potential role that would require relocation to Tampa and I was wondering what would be a baseline level of salary for single dude, late-20s to live comfortably downtown? The job is located in Brandon so I will probably need to buy/lease a car.

I'm trying to sus out the costs of living in Tampa vs NYC right now as I do live a comparably frugal lifestyle compared to what the costs of living in NYC purportedly is and my income.

Off the top of my head, my necessary expenses (rent, utilities, food, transport) in NYC runs around 2500 probably. So part of my calculus is how much will the "cost of living" difference in moving actually help if lets say, for a VP position in Tampa, I'm getting what I'm making now as an AVP in NYC but without the cost of living [effective] decrease.


Looking at the rent in Tampa, it seems it could be anywhere from 1000-2000 a month (such a big variance)?

I was thinking targeting for 130 to 135ish with 125 as the floor.

Currently in an outer-borough of NYC, where rent is more reasonable so I pay around 1800 for rent now for a fairly small apartment (410 sqft)

[FL_Expert]

In downtown I think a 1/1 might start around 2,200/m.

Are you sure you want to live in downtown? A lot of people like it, but I’ve never been a big fan to be honest.

Btw, I’m pretty sure I know the employer you’re referring to in Brandon. It’s a good company!

[ByronicCoward]

Originally Posted by FL_Expert

In downtown I think a 1/1 might start around 2,200/m.

Are you sure you want to live in downtown? A lot of people like it, but I’ve never been a big fan to be honest.

Btw, I’m pretty sure I know the employer you’re referring to in Brandon. It’s a good company!

Ah I see. Well I selected downtown because I'm assuming that would be the only place in Tampa with similar walkability as NYC. Although I don't exactly own a car right now, so best option could be living in Brandon closer to the office park.

But it looks like the rents are catching up to NYC level rents at least for some places. Wonder if the COL difference isn't as high as some websites make it out to be.

[FL_Expert]

Originally Posted by ByronicCoward

Ah I see. Well I selected downtown because I'm assuming that would be the only place in Tampa with similar walkability as NYC. Although I don't exactly own a car right now, so best option could be living in Brandon closer to the office park.

But it looks like the rents are catching up to NYC level rents at least for some places. Wonder if the COL difference isn't as high as some websites make it out to be.

St. Pete is more walkable than Tampa. Are you going to be in the office 5 days a week? If so that should rule out St. Pete and everything else in Pinellas. If you’re only in the office part of the time it might be worth the commute.

Working in Brandon is tricky because it’s not really close to anywhere I like. Moving there would be cheap, but boring. I’d probably look more at South Tampa if I were you since the Selmon makes the commute to Brandon easy. SoHo isn’t a bad spot.

[kab0906]

COL will be higher than any online calculator tells you. Housing is mad right now and prices are super high. Just to give you some idea, in 2.5 years the value of our house has risen from $425k to $550k.

The closer to Tampa the more expensive the housing, obviously. Rent for decent places downtown is higher than mortgage on decent properties 20-30 minutes away from downtown.

This is not NYC. You will need a car even if you live and work downtown. Factor that expense into your move.

[fajitajamboree]

Downtown, especially Channelside, does have walkability. However, if your job is in person and in Brandon, I would definitely factor in a car. Additionally, as you meet people and want to do things in the area, you will desire a vehicle. The bus system here is workable, depending on where you live/ work, but for outside that, it is not extensive enough. The streetcar is really great for the downtown/ Ybor area, but again, outside that section of town, won't help you.

COL is lower than many areas of the country, still. To have a lower rent, I'd live somewhere in Brandon/ Valrico/ Riverview that is close to your job. Get a car and then drive to where you want to be. Brandon isn't far from downtown and Ybor for entertainment.

[floridarebel]

Sadly Tampa is among the cheaper metro areas.

[Arcenal813]

Yeah if you're working in Brandon, you'll definitely need a car. Brandon is a sprawly suburban mess. You can get by pretty well without one if work, home, etc. is downtown or nearby (SOHO, etc.) and use rideshare to go out as needed, but for that kind of work commute, definitely get a car.

[HWTechGuy]

Definitely will need a car, plus some additional food for thought: walkability isn't all that it's cracked up to be during summer months.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by HWTechGuy

Definitely will need a car, plus some additional food for thought: walkability isn't all that it's cracked up to be during summer months.

Well, this ^^^. Plus what do people mean when they want "walkable." How far is considered walkable - a block or a mile- and what do they need/want to walk to? This all plays a huge part.