City comparison
No. Tampa's crime index is 93 versus 156 in Tucson, and its violent crime index is 112 versus 146, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Tucson is cheaper. Median rent is $1,145 a month versus $1,701 in Tampa.
Safety is where Tucson and Tampa split most clearly. Tampa scores 63 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,145 in Tucson and $1,701 in Tampa.
This is a genuine split. Tucson wins on cost of living and Tampa wins on the job market and safety. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Tucson at $1,145 average has pockets that run $945 and others at $1,545: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Tucson and Tampa are 1,722 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,145 a month in Tucson to $1,701 a month in Tampa, up $556 a month (49%).
Median household income goes from $57,073 in Tucson to $75,475 in Tampa, up $18,402 (32%).
The crime index goes from 156 in Tucson to 93 in Tampa, down 63 points (40%).
The move
Tampa and Tucson are 1,722 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,701 a month in Tampa to $1,145 a month in Tucson, down $556 a month (33%).
Median household income goes from $75,475 in Tampa to $57,073 in Tucson, down $18,402 (24%).
The crime index goes from 93 in Tampa to 156 in Tucson, up 63 points (68%).
Tucson, AZ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Tampa, FL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Tucson and Tampa? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
33% cheaper
Tucson rent is 33% cheaper than Tampa
Tucson
Winner$1,145/mo
Tampa
$1,701/mo
Typical rent runs $1,145 a month in Tucson versus $1,701 in Tampa, so Tucson is 33% cheaper. That's roughly $556/month back in your pocket ($6,672/year). Over five years that's $33,360 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Tampa, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Tucson is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Tampa? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
32% higher
Tampa's median income is 32% higher than Tucson
Tucson
$57,073
Tampa
Winner$75,475
Median household income is $75,475 in Tampa versus $57,073 in Tucson, so typical pay runs 32% higher in Tampa (about $18,402 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Tampa is the stronger labor market on paper. Tucson can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
40% lower crime
Tampa's crime index is 40% lower than Tucson
Tucson
156 (100 = avg)
Tampa
Winner93 (100 = avg)
Tampa's crime index is 93 versus 156 in Tucson (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 40% lower in Tampa. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Tampa is the easier city. Tucson can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Tucson and Tampa are about even on typical weather.
Tucson
72°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Tampa
70°F avg · 77°F highs · comfort 100/100
Tucson averages about 72°F (78°F highs); Tampa averages about 70°F (77°F highs). Tucson sits near 72°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Tampa sits near 70°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Tucson
Tucson is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 33% cheaper here at about $1,145 a month. Choose Tucson if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Tampa is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 32% higher here ($75,475). Start with Tampa if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Tampa is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 40% lower than Tucson (93 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Tampa leads on safety (62/100 vs 46/100 in Tucson). Typical rent is $1,701 in Tampa and $1,145 in Tucson; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Tampa still pays more locally ($75,475 median income vs $57,073), which can offset the lease if your field pays Tampa rates.
Median income is $75,475 in Tampa versus $57,073 in Tucson.
Tampa is ahead on safety (62/100 vs 46/100); Tucson is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,145/month rent plus $57,073 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Tucson and Tampa, plus other cities in AZ and FL.
