The Tampa metro is home to 3,240,469 people (up 6.9% over five years), with a median household income of $71,254. Typical rent of $1,991/month works out to 33.5% of the median household income — above the 30% affordability threshold, a strain signal (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of Tampa's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Education & health care | 21.7% |
| Professional & management | 15.2% |
| Retail trade | 12.0% |
| Finance, insurance & real estate | 9.9% |
| Arts, food & hospitality | 9.6% |
Education & health care is the metro's largest employment base — sectors like education and health care are recession-resilient anchors for rental demand.
Rents at 33.5% of median income leave little headroom — expect tenant price sensitivity. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the Tampa market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $1,991/month suggests a household income around $80,000/year. The metro's median household income is $71,254.
By workforce share: Education & health care (21.7%), Professional & management (15.2%), Retail trade (12.0%) (Census ACS 5-year).