Orlando vs Tampa
Same state, same income tax rules. The real differences between these two Florida markets are price, space and pace, measured here against a typical LA home.
| Orlando, FL | Tampa, FL | |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $415K | $445K |
| Median single-family | $535K | $455K |
| Median condo | $163K | $283K |
| Median $/sq ft | $254 | $300 |
| Median days on market | 46 | 43 |
| Avg sale-to-list | 97.0% | 96.7% |
| Sq ft for $1M (at median $/sq ft) | 3,940 | 3,330 |
| Californians who moved to the state (2024) | 36,194 | 36,194 |
Redfin Data Center, May 2026, all residential unless noted. Typical LA County zip for reference: $904K median, $588/sq ft, 44 median days on market. Mover counts: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2024, estimates with margins of error.
The short version
Orlando is the less expensive of the two at the median, about $415K versus $445K in Tampa, roughly 7% less (Redfin, May 2026). $1 million covers roughly 3,940 square feet in Orlando at the median price per square foot, versus about 3,330 in Tampa. Homes have been selling at a similar pace, about 46 median days on market in Orlando and 43 in Tampa. Both are in Florida, so state income tax doesn't separate them: Florida has no personal income tax. About 36,000 people moved from California to Florida in 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024).
Taxes
Both cities: None (Florida has no personal income tax). Because Orlando and Tampa are in the same state, the income tax side is a wash. Property tax, insurance and HOA costs vary by address in both places and can matter as much as income tax, so price them for any specific home.
Go deeper
Read the full guides: moving from LA to Orlando and moving from LA to Tampa. Or see the state picture: moving from California to Florida.
Common questions
Is Orlando or Tampa cheaper?
Orlando had the lower median sale price, about $415K versus $445K in Tampa (Redfin, May 2026), roughly 7% less at the median.
Which has lower state income tax, Orlando or Tampa?
Neither. Orlando and Tampa are both in Florida, so the state income tax is the same: Florida has no personal income tax. Rates change, so confirm with the state and a CPA.
What does $1 million buy in Orlando vs Tampa?
At the median price per square foot, $1 million works out to roughly 3,940 square feet in Orlando and 3,330 in Tampa, versus about 1,700 at the LA median. A rough illustration, not a listing.
