Tampa vs Orlando
Moving to Florida? Learn how the Tampa and Orlando areas compare.
Tampa and Orlando are both top-ranked destinations for persons moving to Florida, but what exactly does each metro area offer its residents, and why are people choosing to move to them? If you’ve been thinking about relocating to the sunshine state, this page will help to give you a top-level overview of what Tampa and Orlando offer as we compare and contrast them.Size & Geography
When comparing the size of Tampa Bay to the greater Orlando area, the Tampa Bay region, which is the 2nd largest metro area in the state and includes the primary cities of Tampa, St Petersburg and Clearwater, is slightly larger with a population of just over 3.3 million. The greater Orlando area, which is part of the Orlando, Kissimmee, Sanford MSA region, is slightly smaller with a population of 2.8 million people and is the 3rd largest metro area in Florida. The geography of these areas is also quite different. The Tampa Bay region borders the Gulf of Mexico with its barrier islands and offers beautiful white-sand beaches. The area is also home to the largest open-water estuary, characterized by its namesake, and covers over 400 square miles. The greater Orlando area, conversely, is land-locked but does offer many beautiful lakes, both natural and man-made, as well as many wetland areas and natural springs.When looking at the age distribution of Tampa Bay vs the greater Orlando area, they are actually quite similar. The average age in Tampa is 35.5 years and the average age in Orlando is 34.7 years, which are among some of the lowest in the state. The younger demographic is due to many colleges and universities in these respective regions as well as the many large employers attracting young professionals in the sectors of healthcare, finance, insurance and technology.
Home Prices & Cost of Living
Median home prices in the Tampa Bay and greater Orlando areas, which includes both single family homes and condos/townhomes, are relatively similar in the mid-to-upper $300s range. See actual median home prices listed further down this page. Keep in mind that home prices will vary based upon location and specific views such as water and/or golf course. In terms of the cost of living in Tampa Bay vs. Orlando, which includes one’s monthly expenses such as utilities, food, transportation, healthcare and taxes, they are very similar with minimal variances. As compared to other states, Florida’s overall cost of living was 2.8% above the nation’s average for the full year of 2024.Activities & Things to Do
As Tampa Bay and the greater Orlando area are both large metropolitan areas, they both come with large-scale attractions including theme parks, professional sports teams, museums and a large zoo. The Tampa Bay region, in additional to its top-rated Clearwater Beach, offers amusement parks including Busch Gardens and Adventure Island, professional sports teams including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL), Tampa Bay Rays (MLB), and Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL), numerous museums, aquariums and art galleries to explore. Similarly, the Orlando area offers many amusement parks including Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, professional sports teams including the Orlando Magic (NBA) and Orlando City Soccer and many museums, art galleries and wildlife attractions to visit. Both areas also feature a full calendar of year-round activities including music festivals, food and wine festivals, cultural-themed festivals, outdoor expos, auto shows, craft and art shows, and county fairs just to name a few.Now that we have overviewed some of the main similarities and differences between these two metro areas, be sure to check out our Tampa Bay and Orlando area pages to view more photos, interactive maps and helpful relocation information for each respective region.
Map of the Tampa Bay and Orlando Areas
Circles on map represent population size of each metro area.
Tampa Bay
The Tampa Bay region of Florida is home to the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, professional sports teams, top-rated Clearwater Beach, a strong business climate and a healthy real estate market. Spanning over 400 miles of shoreline along the Gulf coast, the barrier islands and around the bay, the Tampa Bay region includes the three counties of Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco and comprises a population of just over 3.3 million people. With an average temperature of 73’ year-round, residents enjoy endless outdoor water sports, local theme and amusement parks, open-air eateries and trendy craft breweries.Top area beaches:
Clearwater Beach, St Pete Beach
Top master-planned communities:
Epperson (Wesley Chapel), Mirada (San Antonio)
| City | Median Home Price | Average Age |
|---|---|---|
| Tampa | $374,105 | 35.5 |
| St. Petersburg | $360,627 | 42.9 |
| Clearwater | $352,479 | 46.0 |
Orlando / Central Florida
The greater Orlando area, which comprises the principal cities of Orlando, Sanford and Kissimmee, is the third largest metropolitan area in the state of Florida with a total population of nearly 2.8 million people. Averaging 233 sunny days per year, the Orlando area is home to more than a dozen theme parks including Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld and LEGOLand. Full-time residents of central Florida enjoy an average year-round temperature of 73’ degrees which is perfect for a wide variety of outdoor activities including fitness, exploring theme parks or attending popular music and craft festivals.Closest Beach:
Cocoa Beach (1 hour drive)
Top master-planned community:
Lake Nona
| City | Median Home Price | Average Age |
|---|---|---|
| Orlando | $378,740 | 34.7 |
| Sanford | $342,762 | 35.6 |
| Kissimmee | $370,510 | 35.7 |
