01 · the cities
Tampa
Tampa is the Cuban sandwich's other home (yes, there's a rivalry with Miami), with Ybor City's brick streets, rooster gangs, and cigar shops giving the city a flavor all its own. Bayshore Boulevard claims one of the longest continuous sidewalks in the country, perfect for sunset jogs. The beaches are a short drive west, the Lightning play hockey in the swamp, and the winters feel like other cities' best Aprils.
full dispatch→Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach is a three-mile boardwalk, a giant Neptune statue keeping watch, and Atlantic surf that's warm in August and gentle in September. The military presence (Navy and Air Force) gives the city a structured, welcoming feel. False Cape and Back Bay nature areas are wild marshland just south of the high-rises. October on the boardwalk might be the prettiest month on the East Coast.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$1,996/mo
$1,819/mo
$177/mo less than Tampa (10%)
Median home price
Median home price
$374k
$375k
State income tax
State income tax
0%
5.8%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$6,337/mo
$6,035/mo
Tampa has $302/mo more gross after rent at $100k
Gross left after rent reflects state income tax but not federal, based on $100k salary. Enter your salary to find your ideal city.
03 · the weather
Pleasant days/yr
Pleasant days/yr
243 days
211 days
32 fewer than Tampa
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
3 days
1 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
0 days
2 days
days below 20°F per year
Tampa edges ahead on pleasant days, but both cities have comparable comfort overall.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
62 / 100
57 / 100
5.0 pts behind Tampa
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
68 routes
17 routes
51 fewer direct routes than Tampa
Metro size
Metro size
3.3M metro
1.8M metro
Tampa has 1.6x more events per month than Virginia Beach.
the verdict
5
Tampa
categories won
1
Virginia Beach
categories won
Tampa wins this comparison, leading on money and weather.
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