Cost of Living Comparison Between Long Island, NY and Tampa, FL Cost of Living Comparison Between Long Island, NY and Tampa, FL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,624 per month in Long Island, NY vs $3,105 in Tampa, FL, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,315 per month in Long Island, NY vs $4,637 in Tampa, FL, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,005 per month in Long Island, NY vs $6,169 in Tampa, FL, rent included.

Long Island, NY costs about 17% more than Tampa, FL, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Long Island, NY and Tampa, FL sit above the global median – Long Island, NY by 165%, Tampa, FL by 127%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$24.86 $24.86

$20.29 $20.29

22.52%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$101 $101

$73.8 $73.8

37.56%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.96 $10.96

$11.76 $11.76

-6.80%

Cappuccino

$5.00 $5.00

$5.93 $5.93

-15.68%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.21 $2.21

$3.29 $3.29

-32.83%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.58 $1.58

$2.55 $2.55

-38.04%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.94 $7.94

$6.82 $6.82

16.42%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.87 $7.87

$9.19 $9.19

-14.36%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.33 $1.33

$1.26 $1.26

5.56%

White Bread (500g)

$4.39 $4.39

$3.81 $3.81

15.22%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.98 $1.98

$4.96 $4.96

-60.08%

Eggs

$5.13 $5.13

$3.44 $3.44

49.13%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.38 $12.38

$13.99 $13.99

-11.51%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.80 $11.80

$11.30 $11.30

4.42%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.75 $16.75

$19.93 $19.93

-15.96%

Apples (1kg)

$4.28 $4.28

$5.34 $5.34

-19.85%

Banana (1kg)

$1.27 $1.27

$1.77 $1.77

-28.25%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.13 $2.13

$3.40 $3.40

-37.35%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.02 $5.02

$3.93 $3.93

27.74%

Potato (1kg)

$1.12 $1.12

$2.63 $2.63

-57.41%

Onion (1kg)

$2.16 $2.16

$3.09 $3.09

-30.10%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.53 $1.53

$2.45 $2.45

-37.55%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.56 $1.56

$2.41 $2.41

-35.27%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.30 $11.30

$8.87 $8.87

27.40%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.71 $14.71

$14.92 $14.92

-1.41%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.70 $1.70

$2.55 $2.55

-33.33%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.12 $4.12

$5.39 $5.39

-23.56%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.82 $2.82

$2.02 $2.02

39.60%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$130 $130

$65.2 $65.2

99.62%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.96 $2.96

$2.48 $2.48

19.35%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.04 $2.04

$1.48 $1.48

37.84%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$23.88 $23.88

$19.68 $19.68

21.34%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$1.01 $1.01

4.95%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$36.4K $36.4K

$37.5K $37.5K

-2.91%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.3K $25.3K

$27.7K $27.7K

-8.76%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$217 $217

$210 $210

3.41%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$46.87 $46.87

$70.1 $70.1

-33.18%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$53.5 $53.5

$76.3 $76.3

-29.93%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$31.24 $31.24

$48.93 $48.93

-36.15%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$103 $103

$20.45 $20.45

405.18%

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$16.30 $16.30

-9.75%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$2,286 $2,286

$1,457 $1,457

56.93%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.4K $23.4K

$22.4K $22.4K

4.61%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$40.09 $40.09

$55.9 $55.9

-28.26%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$57.7 $57.7

$43.86 $43.86

31.62%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$77.2 $77.2

$88.6 $88.6

-12.86%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$154 $154

$119 $119

29.08%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,632 $2,632

$2,313 $2,313

13.79%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,271 $2,271

$1,686 $1,686

34.74%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,705 $4,705

$3,983 $3,983

18.13%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,556 $3,556

$2,965 $2,965

19.93%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,332 $4,332

$5,485 $5,485

-21.03%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$4,315 $4,315

$2,142 $2,142

101.46%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,938 $4,938

$4,991 $4,991

-1.07%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.17

6.06

1.82%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Long Island, NY: September 12, 2026

Last update for Tampa, FL: September 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,632 in Long Island, NY versus $2,313 in Tampa, FL. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 1% higher in Tampa, FL, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $101 in Long Island, NY versus $74.0 in Tampa, FL. Groceries tell a different story – $373 in Long Island, NY vs $419 in Tampa, FL – so Long Island, NY wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Long Island, NY vs Tampa, FL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,624 in Long Island, NY, $3,105 in Tampa, FL – roughly 17% apart. Long Island, NY costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,437 per month in Long Island, NY and $4,657 in Tampa, FL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Tampa, FL, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Kindergarten costs $2,286 per month in Long Island, NY and $1,457 in Tampa, FL. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 12% cheaper in Long Island, NY – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,624 in Long Island, NY and $3,105 in Tampa, FL. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

It depends on your priorities. Long Island, NY has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $3,105 in Tampa, FL to $3,624 in Long Island, NY. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Tampa, FL. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Long Island, NY makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.