Best suburbs of Tampa: 23 ranked with 2026 data

Our method for ranking Tampa suburbs

We looked at 23 suburbs and nearby cities in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties with both a Zillow home value series and Census income data. Tampa itself is the benchmark rather than a contender: Zillow's typical value in the city was $377,566 in August 2026, and $358,706 for the metro.

Three ranks are averaged for each suburb: the typical home value divided by local median household income (lower ranks higher), the five-year change in value, and the one-year change to August 2026. The table also shows the share of workers commuting 30 minutes or more, from the Census survey, which you should weigh against your own job location.

Nothing in the score measures schools, crime or amenities. Treat the order as a data summary, then visit.

Tampa suburbs ranked

Rank	Suburb	County	Typical value	1-yr	5-yr	Rent	Value ÷ income	30+ min commute
1	Seffner	Hillsborough	$354,669	-0.4%	+25.6%	$2,258	3.8	35%
2	Citrus Park	Hillsborough	$423,300	0.0%	+25.5%	$2,096	4.5	47%
3	Lutz	Hillsborough	$488,064	-0.7%	+24.6%	$2,005	4.1	54%
4	Temple Terrace	Hillsborough	$325,798	-0.5%	+23.5%	$1,760	4.7	38%
5	Safety Harbor	Pinellas	$501,979	+1.3%	+21.5%	$2,575	4.7	39%
6	Brandon	Hillsborough	$355,560	-0.6%	+23.0%	$1,643	4.5	43%
7	Odessa	Hillsborough	$687,195	-0.1%	+28.6%	$2,165	5.8	67%
8	Westchase	Hillsborough	$552,746	-1.0%	+23.2%	$2,202	4.4	45%
9	Valrico	Hillsborough	$414,955	-2.0%	+19.6%	$2,555	4.0	55%
10	Dunedin	Pinellas	$413,231	+1.2%	+19.0%	$2,044	5.5	35%
11	Largo	Pinellas	$336,911	+0.5%	+17.8%	$1,833	5.4	32%
12	Riverview	Hillsborough	$363,568	-2.8%	+15.2%	$2,129	3.6	62%
13	Plant City	Hillsborough	$340,391	-1.2%	+21.7%	$1,803	5.0	42%
14	Wesley Chapel	Pasco	$400,424	-2.8%	+14.3%	$2,220	3.7	53%
15	Dover	Hillsborough	$427,575	-0.6%	+22.5%	$2,339	8.6	38%
16	Apollo Beach	Hillsborough	$438,180	-2.8%	+13.9%	$2,233	3.4	59%
17	Land O' Lakes	Pasco	$415,778	-2.8%	+15.8%	$2,272	4.2	55%
18	St. Petersburg	Pinellas	$354,074	-1.1%	+14.2%	$2,058	4.7	33%
19	Palm Harbor	Pinellas	$404,931	-1.3%	+15.6%	$1,952	5.1	39%
20	Clearwater	Pinellas	$342,820	-0.6%	+14.0%	$1,963	5.2	32%
21	Ruskin	Hillsborough	$311,279	-3.5%	+13.2%	$2,185	3.9	64%
22	Zephyrhills	Pasco	$303,599	-2.5%	+18.8%	$1,765	5.8	48%
23	Oldsmar	Pinellas	$365,427	-3.1%	+9.0%	$1,913	4.1	41%

North and northwest Hillsborough

2. Citrus Park

Citrus Park is an unincorporated area in northwest Hillsborough County, around the Citrus Park mall and the Veterans Expressway. Values were flat over the year, one of the best results here, and the five-year gain was among the strongest. Housing is mostly 1990s subdivisions. See our Citrus Park guide.

Data: typical home $423,300 (Zillow, August 2026; 0.0% in a year, +25.5% in five). Rent $2,096. Census median household income $93,457; median home built 1993; 47% of workers travel 30+ minutes to work.

3. Lutz

Lutz is an unincorporated area on Tampa's northern edge, along US 41 and Dale Mabry Highway, with a Lutz mailing area that extends into Pasco County. Local income is high ($120,031) relative to prices, giving it one of the better value-to-income ratios. Lots range from subdivision homes to larger lakefront and acreage properties. Our Lutz guide covers the details.

Data: typical home $488,064 (Zillow, August 2026; -0.7% in a year, +24.6% in five). Rent $2,005. Census median household income $120,031; median home built 1990; 54% of workers travel 30+ minutes to work.

4. Temple Terrace

Temple Terrace is its own city on Tampa's northeast side, on the Hillsborough River next to the University of South Florida area. It is one of the cheaper suburbs here, with a strong five-year gain. Homes are older (median year built 1982.0) and only half are owner-occupied. Read our Temple Terrace guide.

Data: typical home $325,798 (Zillow, August 2026; -0.5% in a year, +23.5% in five). Rent $1,760. Census median household income $69,252; median home built 1982; 38% of workers travel 30+ minutes to work.

7. Odessa

Odessa is a semi-rural area in northwest Hillsborough and southwest Pasco, known for lakes and larger lots along Gunn Highway and SR 54. It had the biggest five-year gain in this guide and the highest typical value. It ranks seventh because values are high against local incomes and 67% of workers commute 30 minutes or more, the highest share here. See our Odessa guide.

Data: typical home $687,195 (Zillow, August 2026; -0.1% in a year, +28.6% in five). Rent $2,165. Census median household income $117,806; median home built 2006; 67% of workers travel 30+ minutes to work.

8. Westchase

Westchase is a planned community in northwest Hillsborough County off Linebaugh Avenue, with village-style neighborhoods, a town center and a large HOA-maintained common area. It has the second-highest median income in this list and a solid five-year gain. Values dipped -1.0% over the year. Our Westchase guide covers HOA costs and neighborhoods.

Data: typical home $552,746 (Zillow, August 2026; -1.0% in a year, +23.2% in five). Rent $2,202. Census median household income $124,434; median home built 2000; 45% of workers travel 30+ minutes to work.

East and south Hillsborough

1. Seffner

Seffner is a small unincorporated community east of Tampa along I-4 and US 92, between Brandon and Plant City. It ranks first because it combines a low value-to-income ratio with one of the best five-year gains and prices that held close to flat. It is mostly single-family homes, 84% owner-occupied, with a relatively short commute for the east side: only 35% of workers travel 30 minutes or more.

Data: typical home $354,669 (Zillow, August 2026; -0.4% in a year, +25.6% in five). Rent $2,258. Census median household income $93,333; median home built 1989; 35% of workers travel 30+ minutes to work.

6. Brandon

Brandon is a large unincorporated community east of Tampa, with 119,767 residents, along SR 60 and the Selmon Expressway. It is one of the better-value choices close to the city, with typical rent of $1,643, the lowest in this list. Housing is mostly 1980s and 1990s subdivisions, and about 56% of homes are owner-occupied.

Data: typical home $355,560 (Zillow, August 2026; -0.6% in a year, +23.0% in five). Rent $1,643. Census median household income $79,685; median home built 1993; 43% of workers travel 30+ minutes to work.

9. Valrico

Valrico is an unincorporated area east of Brandon. It has one of the better value-to-income ratios in this list and 79% owner-occupancy, but prices fell -2.0% over the year. Rent is high at $2,555. Many subdivisions have HOAs, and some newer ones add CDD assessments. See our Valrico guide.

Data: typical home $414,955 (Zillow, August 2026; -2.0% in a year, +19.6% in five). Rent $2,555. Census median household income $104,839; median home built 1996; 55% of workers travel 30+ minutes to work.

12. Riverview

Riverview is a large unincorporated community in south Hillsborough County along US 301 and I-75, with 113,697 residents and much recent building (median year built 2006.0). It has one of the lowest value-to-income ratios in this guide, but prices fell -2.8% over the year and 62% of workers commute 30 minutes or more. Newer subdivisions often carry CDD assessments.

Data: typical home $363,568 (Zillow, August 2026; -2.8% in a year, +15.2% in five). Rent $2,129. Census median household income $100,438; median home built 2006; 62% of workers travel 30+ minutes to work.

13. Plant City

Plant City is an incorporated city on I-4 at the east end of Hillsborough County, home to the Florida Strawberry Festival. Values are below most suburbs here and the five-year gain was solid. It ranks mid-table because local incomes are modest. Our Plant City guide covers neighborhoods such as Walden Lake and new construction.

Data: typical home $340,391 (Zillow, August 2026; -1.2% in a year, +21.7% in five). Rent $1,803. Census median household income $67,439; median home built 1989; 42% of workers travel 30+ minutes to work.

15. Dover

Dover is a small unincorporated community between Brandon and Plant City, with just 3,009 residents in the Census survey. Values held up well, but a low local median income makes its value-to-income ratio the highest in this guide. See our Dover guide for the larger rural lots and newer subdivisions nearby.

Data: typical home $427,575 (Zillow, August 2026; -0.6% in a year, +22.5% in five). Rent $2,339. Census median household income $49,693; median home built 1988; 38% of workers travel 30+ minutes to work.

16. Apollo Beach

Apollo Beach is a waterfront community on the east shore of Tampa Bay in south Hillsborough, with canal homes and newer inland subdivisions. It has the best value-to-income ratio in this list and the highest median income of the ranked suburbs ($127,617). It ranks lower because values fell -2.8% over the year. Waterfront homes need a close look at flood zone, elevation and insurance.

Data: typical home $438,180 (Zillow, August 2026; -2.8% in a year, +13.9% in five). Rent $2,233. Census median household income $127,617; median home built 2010; 59% of workers travel 30+ minutes to work.

21. Ruskin

Ruskin is in south Hillsborough County on the Little Manatee River, with much new subdivision building (median year built 2007.0). It has a good value-to-income ratio but the biggest one-year price fall in this guide (-3.5%), and 64% of workers commute 30 minutes or more. Check CDD assessments and flood zones.

Data: typical home $311,279 (Zillow, August 2026; -3.5% in a year, +13.2% in five). Rent $2,185. Census median household income $79,235; median home built 2007; 64% of workers travel 30+ minutes to work.

Pasco County, north of Tampa

14. Wesley Chapel

Wesley Chapel is an unincorporated area of Pasco County north of Tampa along I-75 and SR 56, with large master-planned communities such as Two Rivers. It has one of the best value-to-income ratios, but values fell -2.8% over the year and the five-year gain was weak. Most newer communities add CDD assessments, which appear on the Pasco County tax bill.

Data: typical home $400,424 (Zillow, August 2026; -2.8% in a year, +14.3% in five). Rent $2,220. Census median household income $107,504; median home built 2006; 53% of workers travel 30+ minutes to work.

17. Land O' Lakes

Land O' Lakes is an unincorporated area of central Pasco County along US 41 and SR 54, with many lakes and new communities such as Angeline. Values fell -2.8% over the year. 83% of homes are owner-occupied. Pasco County tax bills often include CDD assessments for newer subdivisions.

Data: typical home $415,778 (Zillow, August 2026; -2.8% in a year, +15.8% in five). Rent $2,272. Census median household income $98,568; median home built 1999; 55% of workers travel 30+ minutes to work.

22. Zephyrhills

Zephyrhills is an incorporated city in east Pasco County, one of the lower-priced options north of Tampa. Local incomes are low, which pushes its value-to-income ratio up, and prices fell -2.5% over the year.

Data: typical home $303,599 (Zillow, August 2026; -2.5% in a year, +18.8% in five). Rent $1,765. Census median household income $52,108; median home built 1990; 48% of workers travel 30+ minutes to work.

Pinellas County, across the bay

5. Safety Harbor

Safety Harbor is a small Pinellas County city at the top of Old Tampa Bay, with a walkable Main Street. Its typical value rose 1.3% over the year, the best result in this list. It costs more than most suburbs here, but local incomes are high. Rent is the highest in this guide at $2,575.

Data: typical home $501,979 (Zillow, August 2026; +1.3% in a year, +21.5% in five). Rent $2,575. Census median household income $106,830; median home built 1984; 39% of workers travel 30+ minutes to work.

10. Dunedin

Dunedin is a Pinellas County city on St. Joseph Sound north of Clearwater, with a walkable downtown and the Pinellas Trail. Values rose 1.2% over the year. Homes are older (median year built 1976.0), and local incomes are moderate, so value to income is on the high side. Waterfront and low-lying streets need a flood zone check.

Data: typical home $413,231 (Zillow, August 2026; +1.2% in a year, +19.0% in five). Rent $2,044. Census median household income $74,477; median home built 1976; 35% of workers travel 30+ minutes to work.

11. Largo

Largo is a central Pinellas County city between Clearwater and St. Petersburg. It is one of the more affordable choices on the Pinellas side and one of only three places here where values rose over the year. Housing is older (median year built 1978.0). Only 32% of workers commute 30 minutes or more.

Data: typical home $336,911 (Zillow, August 2026; +0.5% in a year, +17.8% in five). Rent $1,833. Census median household income $62,096; median home built 1978; 32% of workers travel 30+ minutes to work.

18. St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg is a separate city and the largest in Pinellas County, included here as a place to live near Tampa. It has the oldest housing in this list (median year built 1969.0) and a walkable downtown. Values were down -1.1% over the year and the five-year gain was weaker than Hillsborough's suburbs. Flood zones matter across much of the city; compare it directly in our Tampa vs St. Petersburg guide.

Data: typical home $354,074 (Zillow, August 2026; -1.1% in a year, +14.2% in five). Rent $2,058. Census median household income $75,192; median home built 1969; 33% of workers travel 30+ minutes to work.

19. Palm Harbor

Palm Harbor is an unincorporated area of north Pinellas County, with 78% owner-occupancy and a mix of golf, lakefront and older subdivision homes. It sits in the lower half on all three measures. The drive to Tampa is via SR 580 or the Courtney Campbell Causeway.

Data: typical home $404,931 (Zillow, August 2026; -1.3% in a year, +15.6% in five). Rent $1,952. Census median household income $78,935; median home built 1985; 39% of workers travel 30+ minutes to work.

20. Clearwater

Clearwater is a Pinellas County city on the Gulf, including Clearwater Beach. The typical value is modest for a coastal city, and only 32% of workers commute 30 minutes or more. It ranks low mainly on its weak five-year gain. Beach and waterfront condos need checks on reserves, special assessments and milestone inspections.

Data: typical home $342,820 (Zillow, August 2026; -0.6% in a year, +14.0% in five). Rent $1,963. Census median household income $66,381; median home built 1978; 32% of workers travel 30+ minutes to work.

23. Oldsmar

Oldsmar is a small Pinellas County city at the northern tip of Old Tampa Bay, near the Hillsborough line. It has a good value-to-income ratio, but it had the weakest five-year gain in this list and values fell -3.1% over the year. Its location near SR 580 makes it one of the closer Pinellas options for Westshore jobs.

Data: typical home $365,427 (Zillow, August 2026; -3.1% in a year, +9.0% in five). Rent $1,913. Census median household income $88,333; median home built 1988; 41% of workers travel 30+ minutes to work.

FishHawk Ranch and other planned communities

Some of the Tampa area's most searched communities are planned developments without their own Zillow city series.

FishHawk Ranch

FishHawk Ranch is a master-planned community in the Lithia area of southeast Hillsborough County. The Census Bureau's FishHawk area had 26,186 residents in its 2020-2024 survey, a median household income of $135,271, 80% owner-occupancy and a median year built of 2009. 65% of workers commute 30 minutes or more. Homes pay both CDD assessments and HOA dues; our FishHawk Ranch guide lists them.

New communities north of Tampa

Pasco County has several of Florida's top-selling master-planned communities. Real estate consultancy RCLCO's mid-year 2026 figures, as reported by Moving to Florida Guide, put Two Rivers in Wesley Chapel seventh in Florida with 356 sales in the first half of 2026 and Angeline in Land O' Lakes eighth with 332. Two Rivers says 11 builders offer homes there from the mid-$300s to over $1 million, and Angeline lists townhomes and single-family homes from the high $200s.

Tampa suburb questions answered

What is the richest suburb of Tampa?

By Census median household income, Apollo Beach ($127,617), Westchase ($124,434), Lutz ($120,031) and Odessa ($117,806) lead this list, with the FishHawk area at $135,271. By Zillow typical home value, Odessa ($687,195), Westchase ($552,746) and Safety Harbor ($501,979) are the most expensive.

What is the nicest town near Tampa?

That depends on what you want. On our score, Seffner, Citrus Park and Lutz rank highest. If you want a walkable small-town center, Safety Harbor, Dunedin and Plant City have historic downtowns. If you want new construction, Wesley Chapel, Riverview and Apollo Beach have the newest housing stock.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Tampa?

MIT's living wage calculator for the Tampa metro puts the pre-tax income needed at $50,611 a year for a single adult with no children, $82,675 for one adult with one child and $67,013 for two working adults with no children. Those are minimums, not comfort. At the 7.03% average rate (Freddie Mac, September 24, 2026), principal and interest on Tampa's typical $377,566 home with 10% down is about $2,268 a month before tax and insurance, which by the common 28% guideline points to a household income of roughly $97,183 for that payment alone.

Why are people moving out of Tampa?

Census estimates show Hillsborough County lost a net 15,620 residents to other parts of the US between July 2024 and July 2025, and Pinellas County lost 9,203, while international arrivals kept Hillsborough's total population growing to 1,574,115. Pasco County gained a net 18,078 domestic movers over the same year. That pattern is consistent with buyers moving to cheaper, newer housing in Pasco and beyond, though the Census figures do not record reasons.

How do I check crime data for a Tampa suburb?

We do not label suburbs safe or unsafe. Most unincorporated suburbs are covered by the Hillsborough or Pasco sheriff, while Temple Terrace, Plant City and the Pinellas cities have their own police or contract with the sheriff. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement publishes reported crime by agency, and our guide to Tampa crime data shows how to compare areas fairly.

Choosing between Tampa suburbs

Pick a side of the bay

Hillsborough suburbs put you closer to downtown, Westshore and the airport; Pinellas suburbs put you near Gulf beaches with older housing; Pasco suburbs offer the newest homes with longer drives. Bridge and interstate traffic decide real commute times, so test yours.

Budget for CDDs and HOAs in newer areas

Riverview, Wesley Chapel, Land O' Lakes, Apollo Beach and FishHawk have many subdivisions with CDD assessments on the tax bill. Ask for the current amount and the remaining bond term. Our Hillsborough County property tax guide explains how the bill is built.

Check flood and insurance near the water

Apollo Beach, Ruskin, Oldsmar, Safety Harbor, Dunedin, Clearwater and St. Petersburg all have low-lying streets. Look up the flood zone and evacuation zone and get an insurance quote early. See our Tampa flood zones guide.

Consider cities further out

If Tampa's suburbs are over budget, Lakeland, about midway to Orlando, had a typical value of $309,954 in August 2026, and Zephyrhills $303,599.

Common questions

What is the best suburb of Tampa?+

On our score, Seffner ranks first, followed by Citrus Park, Lutz, Temple Terrace and Safety Harbor. The score averages three ranks using Zillow's August 2026 data and Census income: home value against local median income, five-year price change and one-year price change. It does not measure schools or amenities, so use it as a shortlist.

What are the best places to live near Tampa?+

Beyond the ranked suburbs, many buyers look at planned communities such as FishHawk Ranch, Westchase, Two Rivers and Angeline, and at nearby cities such as St. Petersburg and Lakeland. Lakeland's typical home value was $309,954 in August 2026, well below Tampa's $377,566, but the commute is longer.

What is the most affordable suburb of Tampa?+

Among the suburbs we ranked, Zephyrhills had the lowest typical home value in August 2026 at $303,599, followed by Ruskin at $311,279, Temple Terrace at $325,798 and Largo at $336,911. Brandon had the lowest typical rent, $1,643 a month. Check commute time, flood zone and any CDD charges before comparing prices.

Are home prices dropping in Tampa's suburbs?+

Mostly, modestly. In the year to August 2026, 19 of the 23 suburbs we ranked saw Zillow's typical value fall, with the biggest drops in Ruskin (3.5%) and Oldsmar (3.1%). Safety Harbor, Dunedin and Largo rose, and Citrus Park was flat. All 23 are still higher than five years earlier.

Which Tampa suburbs have the shortest commutes?+

In the Census 2020-2024 survey, the lowest shares of workers commuting 30 minutes or more were Largo and Clearwater (32%), St. Petersburg (33%), and Seffner and Dunedin (35%). The highest were Odessa (67%), Ruskin (64%) and Riverview (62%). Your own commute depends on where you work, so test the drive at rush hour.

What salary do you need to live in Tampa?+

MIT's living wage calculator for the Tampa metro puts the pre-tax minimum at $50,611 a year for a single adult with no children and $67,013 for two working adults with no children. Buying Tampa's typical $377,566 home at a 7.03% rate with 10% down costs about $2,268 a month in principal and interest alone, before tax, insurance and HOA fees.

Best suburbs of Tampa and places to live near Tampa, ranked

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