Fort Worth, Texas and Tampa, Florida are two vastly different cities, each with their own charm and unique qualities. Comparing them involves considering aspects like safety, weather patterns, cost of living and more. Both offer unique cultures and experiences, but may meet particular lifestyle preferences differently. From the dry, warm climate of Fort Worth to the humid, tropical feel of Tampa, your choice between the two could greatly impact your day to day life. This article delves into an in-depth comparison between the cities in relation to various key aspects.
Distance between
Fort Worth, TX and
Tampa, FL : 944.6 miles
Fort Worth's population is larger by 142%. Its population has grown by 400,814 people (75.0%) since 2000. The population of Tampa has grown by 83,603 people (27.6%) during that time.
Fort Worth and Tampa have crime rates that are somewhat higher than the national average. Fort Worth has seen a reduction in crimes over the years, especially violent crimes. Tampa, on the other hand, tends to have slightly higher crime rates but with constant efforts from the local law enforcement, it is also seeing a reduction. Both cities maintain fairly good safety measures for their residents and visitors. Tourists are advised to take general safety precautions as in any other major city in the US.
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
Sex Offenders
According to our data, there are 3,152 registered sex offenders living in Fort Worth and 1,345 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in Fort Worth is 272 to 1; the ratio in Tampa is 280 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents in Fort Worth is near to than in Tampa.
Cost of Living
The cost of living is generally lower in Fort Worth than Tampa. Residents of Fort Worth typically spend less on housing and healthcare than in Tampa. However, Tampa tends to have lower utility costs due to the near constant warm weather limiting heating needs. Still, overall, Fort Worth comes out on top in terms of affordability.
Income Tax
Both Texas and Florida are among the seven US states that do not charge any state income tax. This provides a considerable saving for residents in both Fort Worth and Tampa compared to many other states.
Property Tax
The average property tax rate in Fort Worth is 1.94%, and in Tampa, it's 0.97%. So, property owners in Fort Worth will experience a higher tax burden than those in Tampa, although this should be balanced against the generally lower house prices in Fort Worth.
Sales Tax
Texas (including Fort Worth) does not have state income tax but charges a combined state and local sales tax rate of 8.25%. Florida (including Tampa) also does not have a state income tax, but charges a combined state and local sales tax rate of 7-8%, depending on the county. Overall, the tax burden in both cities is roughly similar.
Income
Type
Fort Worth
Tampa
Estimated median household income
$68,235
$63,404
Estimated per capita income
$34,106
$43,517
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
95.4
99.8
If you make $50,000 in Fort Worth, you will have to make $52,306 in Tampa to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Fort Worth sits on the prairies of north Texas, which is relatively flat with low, rolling hills. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida, offering beach access and the bay. It's a key component of its appeal for residents and tourists alike who enjoy water sports and beach activities.
Both cities provide a commendable education system. Fort Worth is home to several renowned institutions such as Texas Christian University and University of North Texas. Tampa hosts the University of South Florida and Hillsborough Community College, among others. Both cities offer good public and private school options for younger education. It is important for relocators to research particular neighborhoods and school districts for further insight.
The economy of Fort Worth is based on several industries like technology, healthcare, and financial services. In Tampa, the economy is driven by industries like tourism, healthcare, technology, and finance. Both cities have fairly low unemployment rates and steady job growth. Fort Worth, being part of the larger DFW metroplex, may offer a more diverse range of job opportunities.
Biggest Employers
In Fort Worth, the biggest employers include: American Airlines Group, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, and the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth. In Tampa: BayCare Health System, Publix Super Markets, and MacDill Air Force Base are the largest employers. Both cities provide strong employment opportunities in a wide range of sectors.
There were 7,236 building permits issued in Fort Worth in 2012 (4810 more than in 2011) compared to 1,312 building permits issued in Tampa in 2012 (722 more than in 2011).
In Fort Worth (Tarrant County), 41.4% voted for Democrats and 57.1% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Tampa (Hillsborough County), 53.0% voted for Democrats and 46.3% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Fort Worth
Tampa
Fort Worth
Tampa
Fort Worth
Tampa
2020
49.3%
52.9%
49.1%
46.0%
1.6%
1.1%
2016
43.2%
51.2%
51.8%
44.4%
5.0%
4.5%
2012
41.4%
53.0%
57.1%
46.3%
1.4%
0.6%
2008
43.8%
53.4%
55.5%
46.2%
0.7%
0.4%
2004
37.0%
46.4%
62.5%
53.2%
0.5%
0.4%
2000
36.9%
47.2%
60.9%
50.4%
2.3%
2.4%
1996
41.6%
46.8%
50.9%
44.3%
7.5%
8.9%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Fort Worth
Tampa
Fort Worth
Tampa
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
17.3%
8.3%
33.3%
19.4%
CATHOLIC CHURCH
11.1%
10.7%
1.9%
2.8%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
2.2%
1.7%
0.9%
1.1%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.5%
0.3%
0.9%
1.1%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.4%
0.5%
1.6%
2.2%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.3%
0.5%
0.8%
1.4%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.3%
0.5%
0.9%
1.2%
Weather
Weather patterns in both cities are quite distinct. Fort Worth experiences a subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters, while Tampa has a tropical climate with year-round warmth and high humidity. Tampa is also within the hurricane path and experiences regular storms between June and November. For those who enjoy a warm climate and don't mind the occasional tropical storm, Tampa might be the place for you.
Weather and climate
Type
Fort Worth
Tampa
Temperature - Average
65°F
73.1°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
71.4%
77.6%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
34.1%
38%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
82.1%
89%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
48%
51%
Precipitation - Yearly average
35 in
45.6 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
4.2 in
0 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
22.8%
16.9%
Sunshine amount - Average
66.6%
74.8%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
20%
18%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
74%
80%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
54%
62%
Wind speed - Average
10.3 mph
7.4 mph
Average climate in Fort Worth, Texas
Average climate in Tampa, Florida
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Fort Worth
Tampa
Fort Worth
Tampa
Fort Worth
Tampa
Fort Worth
Tampa
Tampa
Tampa
Fort Worth
Tampa
Fort Worth
Tampa
2018
67
68
N/A
0.16
5.8
N/A
27.1
27.7
N/A
N/A
18.9
N/A
N/A
7.9
N/A
1.1
2017
67
79
N/A
0.17
6.2
N/A
27.2
28.4
N/A
N/A
20.5
N/A
N/A
8.8
N/A
0.6
2016
56
71
N/A
0.17
6.3
N/A
25.5
30.8
N/A
N/A
20.2
N/A
N/A
7.9
N/A
0.8
2015
61
74
N/A
0.15
6.5
N/A
24.8
28.7
N/A
N/A
19.0
N/A
N/A
10.0
N/A
2.2
2014
56
74
0.22
0.16
6.8
N/A
26.6
28.0
N/A
N/A
20.0
N/A
N/A
8.4
N/A
1.6
2013
64
68
0.25
0.16
6.4
N/A
26.5
27.7
N/A
N/A
20.3
N/A
N/A
9.3
N/A
1.4
2012
87
85
0.26
0.17
7.8
N/A
30.3
28.0
N/A
N/A
21.0
N/A
N/A
9.7
N/A
1.0
2011
79
83
0.23
0.18
7.9
N/A
30.7
29.2
N/A
N/A
20.8
N/A
N/A
10.1
N/A
1.2
2010
70
84
0.23
0.25
8.5
N/A
27.7
29.8
N/A
N/A
21.8
N/A
N/A
9.9
N/A
1.3
2009
81
77
0.25
0.27
8.7
N/A
29.5
27.4
N/A
N/A
21.2
N/A
N/A
10.1
N/A
1.5
2008
69
86
0.25
0.18
9.6
4.0
25.8
27.5
N/A
N/A
23.3
N/A
N/A
10.2
N/A
2.4
2007
75
102
0.30
0.31
10.6
5.4
24.6
28.8
N/A
N/A
26.0
N/A
N/A
12.0
N/A
3.3
2006
90
99
0.34
0.42
10.2
6.9
29.7
29.5
N/A
N/A
25.8
N/A
N/A
11.6
N/A
3.0
2005
102
99
0.34
0.45
10.9
6.7
28.4
27.9
N/A
N/A
25.0
N/A
11.3
13.2
0.9
3.0
2004
78
92
0.39
0.40
10.6
7.2
25.4
26.5
0.004
N/A
25.0
N/A
N/A
12.5
N/A
3.2
2003
82
94
0.40
0.42
11.1
N/A
27.2
23.8
0.004
N/A
23.9
N/A
N/A
11.7
N/A
4.4
2002
94
84
0.37
0.38
11.8
N/A
25.8
24.5
0.006
N/A
24.2
N/A
N/A
11.5
N/A
4.9
2001
16
100
0.48
0.44
N/A
N/A
N/A
26.2
0.012
N/A
24.9
N/A
N/A
12.1
N/A
4.7
2000
17
98
0.55
0.48
N/A
N/A
N/A
29.3
0.020
N/A
26.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
5.1
Natural disasters
Type
Fort Worth
Tampa
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
249.6%
152.6%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
562.8%
11.1%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
23%
25%
Transportation
Fort Worth operates a bus system and a commuter rail called TEXRail, while Tampa offers the HART bus service, a streetcar system and a water taxi service. Traffic congestion in both cities can be a problem, particularly at peak times. However, public transit options are continually being expanded and improved in both cities.
Transport
Type
Fort Worth
Tampa
Amtrak stations
1
1
Amtrak stations nearby
1
3
FAA registered aircraft
2
541
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
19
78
Means of transportation to work
Type
Fort Worth
Tampa
Bicycle
0.1%
0.4%
Bus
0.4%
1.1%
Carpooled
11%
8.5%
Car alone
85.8%
87%
Motorcycle
0.1%
0.2%
Railroad
0%
0.2%
Taxicab
0.1%
0.1%
Walked
1.3%
1.3%
Average travel time to work
Type
Fort Worth
Tampa
Average
28.5 min
31.4 min
Other means
25.3 min
23.2 min
Public transportation
41.8 min
45.3 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Fort Worth
Tampa
Average
1.2
1.1
Drove alone
87.6%
90.8%
In 2 person carpool
8.5%
6.1%
In 3 person carpool
2.5%
1.7%
In 4 person carpool
1.1%
0.8%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.3%
0.4%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
The real estate market in Fort Worth is somewhat more affordable than Tampa, with lower median home prices. However, both cities offer a variety of housing options from apartments to single-family homes. Depending on your chosen neighborhood, you could find a range of prices and styles to suit your needs in both cities.
Neighborhoods
Fort Worth boasts diverse neighborhoods, from the bustling downtown to the historic Stockyards. On the other hand, Tampa's neighborhoods offer a blend of historic charm and modern living, including Hyde Park, Channel District, and West Tampa. Both cities provide a choice of communities to suit different lifestyles.
Houses and residents
Type
Fort Worth
Tampa
Houses
361,341
172,886
Average household size (people)
2.8
2.4
Median year apartment built
1991
1988
Median year house/condo built
1995
1977
Length of stay in the house since moving in
11.2 years
12.5 years
Houses occupied
334,286 (92.5%)
159,925 (92.5%)
Houses occupied by owners
185,197 (55.4%)
84,660 (52.9%)
Houses occupied by renters
149,089 (44.6%)
75,265 (47.1%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,068
$1,369
Median monthly housing costs
$1,328
$1,326
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$288,576
$380,334
Estimated median house or condo value
$249,000
$336,200
Median numbers of rooms
5.3
4.9
Median number of rooms in apartments
4.2
3.9
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.3
6
Median house price - detached houses
$279,885
$477,728
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
Over $1,000,000
$191,392
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$337,081
$249,678
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$298,062
$443,026
Median house price - mobile homes
$58,470
$95,765
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$279,957
$499,254
Median house price - All housing units
$279,281
$470,393
Median house age
29
38
Renting percentage
40.8%
48.3%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,235.2
1,542.7
House value disparities
31.8%
34.7%
Household income disparities
43.6%
48.9%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$106,170
$107,575
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$72,147
$66,260
Housing units without a mortgage
2,986 (2.4%)
1,024 (1.9%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
3,696 (3%)
4,974 (9.2%)
Housing units with a mortgage
121,099 (97.6%)
53,063 (98.1%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
66 (0.1%)
110 (0.2%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
5,171 (4.2%)
5,716 (10.6%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
8
8
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.8%
1.2%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
0.7%
0.9%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Fort Worth
Tampa
One, detached
65.4%
54.3%
One, attached
2.9%
7.1%
Two
1.6%
2.0%
3 or 4
4.1%
4.5%
5 to 9
5.8%
4.8%
10 to 19
6.5%
5.5%
20 to 49
4.6%
5.5%
50 or more
7.0%
15.1%
Mobile homes
2.1%
1.0%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
27,257
10,160
State government workers
8,587
6,101
Unpaid family workers
392
602
Industries and Occupations
Major industries in Fort Worth include oil and gas extraction, aircraft production, and food distribution. In Tampa, the dominant industries are healthcare, finance, and tourism. Both cities offer varied job opportunities in diverse sectors, although Fort Worth has a stronger emphasis on industries connected to natural resources, while Tampa has a greater focus on service industries.
Fort Worth and Tampa both have robust healthcare systems. Fort Worth is home to Texas Health Resources and Cook Children's Health Care System. Meanwhile, Tampa boasts the Moffitt Cancer Center, one of the top cancer centers in the nation, and Tampa General Hospital. Quality of healthcare in both cities is high across a range of specialties.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Fort Worth
Tampa
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Fort Worth boasts a remarkable infrastructure with a well-maintained network of roads and highways. Tampa's infrastructures are well-established too, with the city regularly investing in upgrading its utilities and public works. Both cities provided continued investments in improving their built environment with public spaces, parks, and urban amenities for the betterment of the quality of life of their residents.
Infrastructure
Type
Fort Worth
Tampa
Hospitals
76
19
TV stations
25
26
Arenas or stadiums
7
3
Bank branches located here
175
205
Bank institutions located here
42
45
Main business address for public companies
24
24
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
3
58
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Fort Worth
Tampa
1999
3,575
1,627
2000
2,473
1,292
2001
2,109
1,001
2002
1,701
968
2003
2,183
1,390
2004
3,202
2,093
2005
4,261
3,515
2006
4,161
4,460
2007
2,871
2,950
2008
1,256
1,075
2009
585
415
Culture and Food
Fort Worth delivers a unique blend of cowboy culture and modern arts scene, coupled with Tex-Mex and barbecue food traditions. Tampa offers a lively arts scene too, but is famous for its Cuban influence leading to a vibrant food scene, headlined by the Cuban Sandwich. Both cities offer compelling cultural and dining experiences.
Sports Teams
Fort Worth shares its sports teams with the wider DFW area including the Dallas Cowboys (NFL) and the Texas Rangers (MLB). Tampa hosts the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL), Tampa Bay Rays (MLB), and the Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL). Both cities have sports at their heart and offer plenty of opportunities for fans to get involved.
Fort Worth, TX
Tampa, FL
