At a glance
| Location | Interbay Peninsula between Kennedy Boulevard and MacDill Air Force Base |
|---|---|
| Water on both sides | Old Tampa Bay to the west, Hillsborough Bay to the east |
| Main roads | Dale Mabry Highway, Gandy Boulevard, Bayshore Boulevard, Bay to Bay Boulevard, Selmon Expressway |
| ZIP codes | 33606, 33609, 33611, 33616, 33629 and others |
| Home types | Historic homes, new rebuilds, townhomes and condos |
| HOA / CDD | Most older neighborhoods have no mandatory HOA; newer townhome and condo projects usually do |
What South Tampa is and what it is known for
South Tampa covers the Interbay Peninsula, bounded by Old Tampa Bay to the west, Hillsborough Bay to the east and Kennedy Boulevard to the north, with MacDill Air Force Base at the southern tip. It includes more than 20 neighborhoods, among them Beach Park, Ballast Point, Bayshore Beautiful, Davis Islands, Hyde Park, Palma Ceia and Port Tampa.
Main routes include Dale Mabry Highway, Gandy Boulevard, Bayshore Boulevard, Bay to Bay Boulevard and the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, which links the area to downtown and I-75.
South Tampa is known for its bayfront setting on both sides of the peninsula, Bayshore Boulevard's 4.5-mile sidewalk and older neighborhoods of historic homes. It makes up City Council District 4, and its ZIP codes include 33606, 33608, 33609, 33611, 33616, 33621 and 33629.
Is South Tampa a good area to live?
It depends which part you mean and what you can spend. South Tampa's ZIPs ranged from $408,593 to $1,036,817 in Zillow's August 2026 data, so the same budget buys very different homes in different neighborhoods. Its strengths are the waterfront, established neighborhoods, shopping districts and a short trip downtown. The trade-offs are high prices in the northern neighborhoods, flood and evacuation exposure near the bays, and older homes that need careful inspection.
South Tampa home prices by ZIP code
| ZIP | Typical value, Aug 2026 | 1-year change |
|---|---|---|
| 33629 | $1,036,817 | 0.0% |
| 33606 | $851,969 | -1.7% |
| 33609 | $608,955 | -1.4% |
| 33611 | $483,431 | -1.4% |
| 33616 | $408,593 | -3.0% |
All five South Tampa ZIPs were flat or down over the year to August 2026, in line with the citywide figure of -0.3%. The Tampa ZIP code guide lists every Tampa ZIP.
South Tampa neighborhoods and home types
Zillow neighborhood figures show the spread inside South Tampa (August 2026):
- Davis Islands: $1,445,180
- Beach Park: $1,315,985
- Historic Hyde Park: $1,084,493
- Bayshore Beautiful: $1,006,022
- Palma Ceia: $974,321
- Ballast Point: $600,302
- Port Tampa City: $463,051
- Interbay: $420,393
The northern neighborhoods near Hyde Park and the bay carry the highest values, while areas farther south toward MacDill are closer to the citywide figure.
Historic homes
Older neighborhoods such as Hyde Park hold 1920s and 1930s homes. Hyde Park is a local historic district, where exterior changes need a Certificate of Appropriateness.
Rebuilds on older lots
Many sales are new houses on lots where an older home was torn down. Compare land value and construction quality, and check permits.
Townhomes and condos
Newer townhome and condo projects, including condos along Bayshore Boulevard, usually have an association with monthly fees. See the Bayshore guide.
Living in South Tampa
Shops and dining
Hyde Park Village and SoHo on South Howard Avenue in Hyde Park, and the Palma Ceia Design District at MacDill Avenue and Bay to Bay Boulevard, are the main shopping and dining areas.
Parks and the waterfront
Bayshore Boulevard runs along Hillsborough Bay with a 4.5-mile sidewalk, and Davis Islands has a 1.3-mile trail.
Schools
Hillsborough County Public Schools assigns schools by address, and boundaries can change. Check the exact address in the district's school zone locator rather than relying on a listing, and read the Tampa schools guide for how to compare state grades.
Getting around
Main routes are Dale Mabry Highway, Gandy Boulevard, West Shore Boulevard, Bayshore Boulevard, Bay to Bay Boulevard and the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway. HART runs the area's buses, at $2.00 a trip with a $4.00 daily cap.
Costs to budget for in South Tampa
Property tax
City of Tampa parcels paid a total of 19.8428 mills for 2025, according to the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser, or about $1,984 a year for every $100,000 of taxable value before exemptions. The assessed value resets after a sale, so estimate taxes from your purchase price rather than the seller's bill, and file for homestead by March 1 if the home will be your permanent residence. See Hillsborough County property tax.
Flood insurance
Look up the address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and ask for an elevation certificate if the seller has one. Tampa is a Class 5 community in FEMA's Community Rating System, which gives a 25% discount on flood insurance in flood zones and 10% outside them. Get a quote before your inspection period ends. The Tampa flood zone guide explains the maps.
HOA fees
Most houses in the older neighborhoods have no mandatory HOA. Newer townhome and condo projects usually do. Check the title work and association documents.
What to check before buying in South Tampa
- Evacuation zone: Hillsborough County revised its evacuation zones for 2026, expanding Zone A farther inland along the coast. Check the current zone for the address.
- Historic district: check the city's district maps before planning exterior work in Hyde Park.
- Neighborhood name: confirm the subdivision on the property appraiser record, since values change sharply between neighborhoods.
Pros and cons of South Tampa
Pros
- Water on both sides of the peninsula and the Bayshore sidewalk.
- Established neighborhoods and several shopping districts.
- Close to downtown and Westshore.
Cons
- Typical values well above the citywide figure in the northern ZIPs.
- Flood and evacuation exposure near the bays.
- Many older homes and teardown sales to evaluate.
The Tampa ZIP code guide lists every Tampa ZIP.
Common questions
How much are homes in South Tampa?+
Zillow's typical home values in August 2026 ranged from $408,593 in ZIP 33616 to $1,036,817 in ZIP 33629, with 33606 at $851,969, 33609 at $608,955 and 33611 at $483,431. Neighborhood figures range further, from $420,393 in Interbay to $1,445,180 on Davis Islands.
What are the boundaries of South Tampa?+
South Tampa generally means the Interbay Peninsula south of Kennedy Boulevard, with Old Tampa Bay to the west, Hillsborough Bay to the east and MacDill Air Force Base at the southern end. It includes more than 20 neighborhoods, such as Hyde Park, Palma Ceia, Beach Park, Ballast Point and Davis Islands.
Is South Tampa in a flood zone?+
Parts of South Tampa are in FEMA flood zones and parts are not, and the difference can be parcel by parcel. Look up each address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and the Hillsborough County evacuation zone tool, which was updated for 2026, and get a flood insurance quote before your inspection period ends.
Do South Tampa homes have HOA fees?+
Most houses in South Tampa's older neighborhoods are not in a mandatory homeowners association, though many areas have voluntary civic associations. Newer townhome and condo projects usually have an association with monthly fees and their own rules. Check the title work, the association documents and the tax bill for any fees or special assessments on the exact property.
Is South Tampa a good area to live?+
It depends on the neighborhood and your budget. South Tampa offers bayfront living, established neighborhoods and shopping districts close to downtown, with ZIP typical values from $408,593 to $1,036,817 in August 2026. Check flood and evacuation zones, home age and any association fees for the specific address.
Sources
- Wikipedia: South Tampa
- City of Tampa: Historic district maps
- Hillsborough County Public Schools: School zones locator
- City of Tampa: Flooding
- FEMA: Flood Map Service Center
- FOX 13 Tampa Bay: Hillsborough County adjusts hurricane evacuation zones (April 2026)
- Zillow Research: Zillow Home Value Index (August 2026 data)
- Wikipedia: Hyde Park (Tampa)
- Wikipedia: Palma Ceia
- Wikipedia: Bayshore Boulevard
- Wikipedia: Davis Islands (Tampa)
- Hillsborough County Property Appraiser: 2025 final millage rates
- HART: Fares
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Antonio Roberts
Antonio Roberts has spent five years helping more than 500 Florida buyers and sellers choose the right real estate agent. He is not a real estate agent himself: he researches what matters in a Florida move and connects people with licensed local agents, free of charge.
Reviewed by a licensed Florida real estate agent. Before publication, this guide was checked for accuracy by a licensed Florida real estate agent on our team. It is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice.
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