Tampa, FL
No state income tax, Gulf Coast water, and a market where buyers have room.
Tampa pairs Florida's tax picture with a warm-water, Gulf Coast lifestyle and a growing economy. For owners moving from Los Angeles to Tampa, the numbers are a big part of the appeal: in the most recent Redfin data (May 2026) the typical Tampa home sold for about $445K, versus about $904K for the typical LA County zip code.
The money picture
| Typical LA County zip | Tampa, FL | |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $904K | $445K |
| Median price per sq ft | $588 | $300 |
| Median days on market | n/a | 43 |
| State income tax on wages | Progressive, top rate 13.3% | None (Florida has no personal income tax) |
Market figures: Redfin Data Center. Tampa: May 2026, all residential. LA: median of LA County zip-code medians, Mar 2026 to May 2026. Medians are a rough guide and hide a wide range of homes. Tax rates as published by each state for tax year 2026; rates change, so verify with the state's revenue department.
Tampa homes recently sold for about $300 per square foot, compared with about $588 in the typical LA zip. The typical detached house sold for about $455K and the typical condo for about $283K. The median home took 43 days to sell and closed at about 96.7% of list price, which points to a market where buyers have some leverage (Redfin, May 2026).
On taxes, Florida has no personal income tax. Florida also offers a homestead exemption on a primary residence, and its "Save Our Homes" rule limits annual increases in the assessed value of a homesteaded home. The other side of the ledger: homeowners and flood insurance are a major part of the cost of owning in Florida, so get quotes early. Official details are on the Florida Department of Revenue site, and our California to Florida guide goes deeper.
A household with $200,000 of taxable income would have no Florida state income tax on that income, because Florida has no personal income tax. That does not make the move tax free: insurance and property taxes still count, the year of a move typically means a part-year California return, and income tied to California (such as the gain on selling an LA home) is generally still California-source. A CPA can model the details.
Beyond the sticker price, the monthly number is what decides most Florida moves. Insurance, property taxes after the homestead exemption, and any association fees can shift the comparison between two homes at the same price, so it pays to gather quotes before making an offer. On the LA side, selling first usually gives the clearest budget. Our guide to selling your LA home and moving out of state covers how to sequence the sale and the move.
What people tend to weigh
- Climate. Hot, humid summers with daily afternoon storms, very mild winters, and hurricane season from June through November to plan around.
- Housing stock. Older bungalows and historic homes near downtown, waterfront properties, condos, and newer suburban construction across the region.
- Travel back to LA. Tampa International has nonstop flights to LAX and service to most major U.S. cities.
- Insurance. Homeowners and flood insurance quotes vary widely by location, elevation and age of the home, so they belong in the budget from day one.
Also weighing other Florida markets? See our Orlando guide for Central Florida or our Miami guide for the Atlantic side.
Common questions
How much does a home cost in Tampa compared with Los Angeles?
The typical Tampa home sold for about $445K ($300 per square foot) in Redfin's May 2026 data, versus about $904K ($588 per square foot) for a typical LA County zip code. Medians hide a wide range of homes.
Does Florida have a state income tax?
None (Florida has no personal income tax). California's top marginal rate is 13.3%. Tax rules change, so confirm current rates with the state's revenue department and a CPA.
How fast are homes selling in Tampa?
Homes in Tampa had a median of 43 days on market and sold for about 96.7% of list price on average (Redfin, May 2026).
What could $1 million from an LA sale buy in Tampa?
As a rough illustration, $1 million at Tampa's median of $300 per square foot works out to about 3,330 square feet, compared with about 1,700 at the LA median. Use the calculator on this page for your own numbers.
The move starts with the sale.
Before you land anywhere, your LA home has to sell, and how it sells sets your budget for everything after. The seller's playbook covers timing, California withholding at closing, transfer taxes and the questions to bring your CPA.