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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,025 per month in Tampa, FL vs $3,050 in Auburn, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,406 per month in Tampa, FL vs $4,286 in Auburn, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,786 per month in Tampa, FL vs $5,523 in Auburn, CA, rent included.

Tampa, FL is about 1% cheaper than Auburn, CA, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Tampa, FL and Auburn, CA sit above the global median – Tampa, FL by 126%, Auburn, CA by 128%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.38 $20.38

$25.13 $25.13

-18.90%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$79.6 $79.6

$91.6 $91.6

-13.09%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.13 $12.13

$12.24 $12.24

-0.90%

Cappuccino

$5.07 $5.07

$4.87 $4.87

4.11%

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

$2.76 $2.76

$2.60 $2.60

6.15%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.05 $2.05

$2.19 $2.19

-6.39%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.09 $7.09

$5.09 $5.09

39.29%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$7.05 $7.05

14.61%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.27 $1.27

White Bread (500g)

$3.96 $3.96

$4.54 $4.54

-12.78%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.05 $5.05

$6.29 $6.29

-19.71%

Eggs

$4.33 $4.33

$3.32 $3.32

30.42%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.07 $16.07

$20.68 $20.68

-22.29%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.70 $11.70

$14.64 $14.64

-20.08%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.89 $15.89

$17.05 $17.05

-6.80%

Apples (1kg)

$6.39 $6.39

$7.58 $7.58

-15.70%

Banana (1kg)

$1.82 $1.82

$1.69 $1.69

7.69%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.22 $4.22

$6.51 $6.51

-35.18%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.77 $4.77

$6.31 $6.31

-24.41%

Potato (1kg)

$3.58 $3.58

$4.39 $4.39

-18.45%

Onion (1kg)

$3.66 $3.66

$3.43 $3.43

6.71%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.39 $2.39

$2.05 $2.05

16.59%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.57 $2.57

$2.19 $2.19

17.35%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.78 $7.78

$11.06 $11.06

-29.66%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.90 $14.90

$11.87 $11.87

25.53%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.43 $2.43

$1.47 $1.47

65.31%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.49 $3.49

$2.04 $2.04

71.08%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.05 $2.05

$2.02 $2.02

1.49%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$67.0 $67.0

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.45 $2.45

$3.44 $3.44

-28.78%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.51 $1.51

$1.99 $1.99

-24.12%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.63 $29.63

$39.48 $39.48

-24.95%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.93 $0.93

$1.24 $1.24

-25.00%

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

$34.5K $34.5K

$24.0K $24.0K

43.63%

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

$27.3K $27.3K

$24.7K $24.7K

10.61%

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

$235 $235

$271 $271

-13.10%

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

$69.1 $69.1

$49.22 $49.22

40.41%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$69.3 $69.3

$71.5 $71.5

-3.02%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$37.71 $37.71

$66.3 $66.3

-43.11%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$12.81 $12.81

Cinema Ticket

$15.86 $15.86

$14.25 $14.25

11.30%

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

$1,289 $1,289

$2,725 $2,725

-52.69%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$13.8K $13.8K

$6,074 $6,074

126.43%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$56.7 $56.7

$54.1 $54.1

4.75%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$36.31 $36.31

$40.05 $40.05

-9.34%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.6 $95.6

$64.7 $64.7

47.86%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$135 $135

$123 $123

10.16%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,075 $2,075

$1,844 $1,844

12.53%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,545 $1,545

$1,583 $1,583

-2.37%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,663 $3,663

$2,745 $2,745

33.44%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,729 $2,729

$2,340 $2,340

16.61%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,276 $5,276

$3,313 $3,313

59.26%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,255 $2,255

$2,667 $2,667

-15.48%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,446 $4,446

$4,076 $4,076

9.09%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.48

6.55

-1.07%

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

Last update for Tampa, FL: May 30, 2026

Last update for Auburn, CA: June 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,075 in Tampa, FL versus $1,844 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 9% 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 $80.0 in Tampa, FL versus $92.0 in Auburn, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $435 vs $478 – making Tampa, FL the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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

Monthly costs with rent: $3,025 in Tampa, FL, $3,050 in Auburn, CA – roughly 1% apart. Auburn, CA costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,538 per month in Tampa, FL and $4,575 in Auburn, CA. 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.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $3,025 in Tampa, FL and $3,050 in Auburn, CA. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $1,289 per month in Tampa, FL and $2,725 in Auburn, CA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,025 in Tampa, FL and $3,050 in Auburn, CA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

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.

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.