Tampa, FL Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Tampa, FL: What You Need to Know

Tampa is the anchor city of the Tampa Bay Area on Florida’s west coast, which includes St. Petersburg and Clearwater.

The Cost of Living in Tampa

Tampa is an affordable midsize city with a population of 399,700. The cost of living rate in the city is 7.5% lower than the national average. Food and housing costs are also reasonable – 11% and 1.3% than the national average respectively. Tampa’s median gross rent is $1,082 while its median rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,020. Last but not least, Florida has no state income tax. 

Know Your Neighborhoods

Downtown Tampa’s high-rise apartments, condos, and lofts offer a gorgeous waterfront backdrop and an active cultural life. Ybor City, Sulphur Springs, and Hyde Park are all close to downtown and have a variety of housing options. If you prefer the suburbs, Westchase and Carrollwood are a short commute to Tampa. They both have a significant percentage of renters. For families with school-age children, Fish Hawk, Bloomingdale, and Lutz are great choices for their topnotch schools, parks, and playgrounds.

Things to Do in Tampa

Tampa is a popular family vacation destination because of its amusement parks, namely the Busch Gardens and the Adventure Island, and the Florida Aquarium. Busch Gardens’ heart-pumping attractions include the triple-launch coaster and a family spin coaster, while Adventure Island offers 30 acres of water-themed fun such as rapids and water slides. Florida Aquarium features 30,000 aquatic plants and animals from around the world. If you prefer the surf and sand, visit the Ben T. Davis Beach, which boasts of white sand and spectacular sunsets. Nearby Sand Key Park has a quiet and low-key beach. 

The Local Sports Scene

Sports fans have great teams to cheer on year-round: Lightning (NHL), Rays (MLB), Buccaneers (NFL), and Rowdies (United Soccer League). The Lightning has won a Stanley Cup and the Buccaneers won one Super Bowl title.

Shopping in the City

The city’s diverse shopping scene means there’s a great shop for every type of budget. International Plaza and Bay Street has 200 stores, including all the big national brands, and 16 restaurants. It’s adjacent to Tampa International Airport, so it’s accessible. Visit Hyde Park Village, a favorite among locals. The village consists of six blocks of restaurants and locally-owned shops, including specialty shops such as the clothing store Salt Pines, whose name was inspired by the pine trees along Tampa beaches, and Fig & Julep, a gourmet-food store with specialty pastas and sauces, and hard-to-get foods from around the world. Hyde Park Village is also known for the Fresh Market, a monthly outdoor market featuring more than 100 local vendors.