Raleigh vs Tampa
Two markets on the list for people leaving LA. Here's how they stack up on price, pace and taxes, measured against what a typical LA home sells for.
| Raleigh, NC | Tampa, FL | |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $424K | $445K |
| Median single-family | $534K | $455K |
| Median condo | $334K | $283K |
| Median $/sq ft | $231 | $300 |
| Median days on market | 32 | 43 |
| Avg sale-to-list | 98.9% | 96.7% |
| Sq ft for $1M (at median $/sq ft) | 4,330 | 3,330 |
| Californians who moved to the state (2024) | 18,428 | 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
Raleigh is the less expensive of the two at the median, about $424K versus $445K in Tampa, roughly 5% less (Redfin, May 2026). $1 million covers roughly 4,330 square feet in Raleigh at the median price per square foot, versus about 3,330 in Tampa. Raleigh homes have been moving faster, 32 median days on market versus 43 in Tampa. North Carolina has a 3.99% flat income tax (tax year 2026). Florida has no personal income tax. In 2024 about 18,000 Californians moved to North Carolina and about 36,000 to Florida (U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024).
Taxes
Raleigh: 3.99% flat rate (tax year 2026), scheduled to step down further. Tampa: None (Florida has no personal income tax). 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 Raleigh and moving from LA to Tampa.
Common questions
Is Raleigh or Tampa cheaper?
Raleigh had the lower median sale price, about $424K versus $445K in Tampa (Redfin, May 2026), roughly 5% less at the median.
Which has lower state income tax, Raleigh or Tampa?
Tampa has the lower state income tax. Florida has no personal income tax. By comparison, North Carolina has a 3.99% flat income tax (tax year 2026). Rates change, so confirm with each state and a CPA.
What does $1 million buy in Raleigh vs Tampa?
At the median price per square foot, $1 million works out to roughly 4,330 square feet in Raleigh and 3,330 in Tampa, versus about 1,700 at the LA median. A rough illustration, not a listing.
