Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Tampa, FL and Auburn, CA

For one person, living costs are similar in Tampa, FL and in Auburn, CA: $3,101 and $3,212 a month, rent and utilities included.

Tampa, FL
🇺🇸 United States
$3,101
/mo nomad
Auburn, CA
🇺🇸 United States
$3,212
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Tampa, FL and in Auburn, CA

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Tampa, FL and in Auburn, CA actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $3,101 per month in Tampa, FL vs $3,212 in Auburn, CA, rent included.

  • Tampa, FL $3,101
  • Auburn, CA $3,212

A couple spends around $4,572 per month in Tampa, FL vs $4,620 in Auburn, CA, rent included.

  • Tampa, FL $4,572
  • Auburn, CA $4,620

A family of three spends $6,044 per month in Tampa, FL vs $6,027 in Auburn, CA, rent included.

  • Tampa, FL $6,044
  • Auburn, CA $6,027

Tampa, FL is about 3% cheaper than Auburn, CA, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Tampa, FL and Auburn, CA sit above the global median – Tampa, FL by 130%, Auburn, CA by 138%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tampa, FL
Auburn, CA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.83 $19.83
$25.25 $25.25
-21.47%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$76.1 $76.1
$90.7 $90.7
-16.08%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.77 $11.77
$11.92 $11.92
-1.26%
Cappuccino
$5.89 $5.89
$4.91 $4.91
19.96%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.16 $3.16
$2.54 $2.54
24.41%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.43 $2.43
$2.37 $2.37
2.53%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$7.18 $7.18
$4.86 $4.86
47.74%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$9.08 $9.08
$7.11 $7.11
27.71%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tampa, FL
Auburn, CA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.26 $1.26
$1.23 $1.23
2.44%
White Bread (500g)
$3.88 $3.88
$4.52 $4.52
-14.16%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.95 $4.95
$8.21 $8.21
-39.71%
Eggs
$3.59 $3.59
$3.17 $3.17
13.25%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.07 $14.07
$25.79 $25.79
-45.44%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.12 $11.12
$18.58 $18.58
-40.15%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.94 $19.94
$23.00 $23.00
-13.30%
Apples (1kg)
$5.38 $5.38
$7.72 $7.72
-30.31%
Banana (1kg)
$1.83 $1.83
$1.70 $1.70
7.65%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.41 $3.41
$8.51 $8.51
-59.93%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.96 $3.96
$6.78 $6.78
-41.59%
Potato (1kg)
$2.66 $2.66
$5.10 $5.10
-47.84%
Onion (1kg)
$2.92 $2.92
$3.06 $3.06
-4.58%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.36 $2.36
$2.02 $2.02
16.83%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.34 $2.34
$2.27 $2.27
3.08%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.30 $9.30
$11.66 $11.66
-20.24%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.21 $15.21
$15.24 $15.24
-0.20%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.68 $2.68
$1.46 $1.46
83.56%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.57 $5.57
$2.02 $2.02
175.74%
🚌 Getting Around
Tampa, FL
Auburn, CA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.94 $1.94
$3.40 $3.40
-42.94%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$65.9 $65.9
$88.2 $88.2
-25.29%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.52 $2.52
$3.26 $3.26
-22.70%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.46 $1.46
$2.43 $2.43
-39.92%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$20.27 $20.27
$40.49 $40.49
-49.94%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.03 $1.03
$1.22 $1.22
-15.57%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$38.0K $38.0K
$32.8K $32.8K
15.60%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.3K $27.3K
$24.5K $24.5K
11.48%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tampa, FL
Auburn, CA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$210 $210
$189 $189
11.02%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$72.7 $72.7
$49.79 $49.79
45.95%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$76.3 $76.3
$66.7 $66.7
14.30%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tampa, FL
Auburn, CA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$48.50 $48.50
$64.4 $64.4
-24.72%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.87 $20.87
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$16.60 $16.60
$15.10 $15.10
9.93%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tampa, FL
Auburn, CA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,448 $1,448
$2,686 $2,686
-46.08%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$21.8K $21.8K
$5,939 $5,939
267.51%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tampa, FL
Auburn, CA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.0 $57.0
$68.7 $68.7
-17.05%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.36 $44.36
$46.74 $46.74
-5.09%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$89.4 $89.4
$110 $110
-19.06%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$123 $123
$199 $199
-38.19%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tampa, FL
Auburn, CA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,282 $2,282
$1,823 $1,823
25.20%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,674 $1,674
$1,591 $1,591
5.18%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,949 $3,949
$2,784 $2,784
41.87%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,921 $2,921
$2,344 $2,344
24.62%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$5,383 $5,383
$3,277 $3,277
64.23%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,223 $2,223
$2,675 $2,675
-16.89%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tampa, FL
Auburn, CA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,852 $4,852
$3,926 $3,926
23.58%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.4
6.77
-5.47%

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

Last update for Tampa, FL: October 12, 2026

Last update for Auburn, CA: October 13, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Tampa, FL
$1.7K
Auburn, CA
$1.6K 4.9% $82
Groceries & Markets
Tampa, FL
$421
Auburn, CA
$558 32.5% $137
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tampa, FL
$359
Auburn, CA
$305 14.8% $53
Eating Out
Tampa, FL
$341
Auburn, CA
$355 4% $14
Clothing & Footwear
Tampa, FL
$141
Auburn, CA
$191 35.4% $50
Getting Around
Tampa, FL
$84
Auburn, CA
$117 40.4% $34
Sport & Entertainment
Tampa, FL
$82
Auburn, CA
$95 15.9% $13

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,282 in Tampa, FL versus $1,823 in Auburn, CA. 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 24% 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 $76.0 in Tampa, FL versus $91.0 in Auburn, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $421 vs $558 – making Tampa, FL the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Tampa, FL
🇺🇸 Auburn, CA
🕒 Local time
17:59 5:59 PM
14:59 2:59 PM
3 h behind Tampa, FL
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
332,888
76,143
Exchange rates and currency converter

EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Tampa, FL Auburn, CA 3,750 km ≈ 5 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Tampa, FL
  • Auburn, CA

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Tampa, FL vs Auburn, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Tampa, FL and in Auburn, CA compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $3,101 in Tampa, FL, $3,212 in Auburn, CA – roughly 4% apart. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in groceries.
What salary covers living expenses in Tampa, FL compared to Auburn, CA?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,651 per month in Tampa, FL and $4,818 in Auburn, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Tampa, FL and Auburn, CA?
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.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Tampa, FL and Auburn, CA?
Kindergarten costs $1,448 per month in Tampa, FL and $2,686 in Auburn, CA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 33% more in Auburn, CA, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Which city is feasible on a $3,000 budget?
$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,101 in Tampa, FL and $3,212 in Auburn, CA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Where should families live: Tampa, FL or Auburn, CA?
Families tend to lean toward Tampa, FL – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How do I decide between Tampa, FL and Auburn, CA?
If budget matters most, go with Tampa, FL. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Auburn, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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