🇺🇸 North America

FIRE Number for Tampa, United States

Name: Tampa, United States
Address: Tampa, United States

United States

Waterfront Living, Zero State Tax, and a Booming Food Scene

FIRE Score Based on safety, healthcare, infrastructure & expat friendliness

Tampa delivers an irresistible combination of Gulf Coast waterfront living, zero state income tax, and a culinary renaissance that has put the city on the national food map. With year-round warm weather, proximity to world-class beaches, and a rapidly growing downtown, Tampa offers FIRE seekers a vibrant urban lifestyle at a fraction of what comparable coastal cities demand. The city's diverse neighborhoods range from the historic charm of Ybor City to the polished waterfront of Harbour Island, giving retirees real options at every budget level.

Lean FIRE, FIRE, and Fat FIRE for Tampa

Needed to retire here is the portfolio that, in a historical backtest, would have lasted your retirement at your chosen confidence and length. Status is the verdict for your portfolio. The 4% rule benchmark is shown underneath each figure for reference only.

Use my own healthcare cost

Lifestyle	Needed to retire here	Monthly Cost
Lean FIRE	$1.23M	$4,100/mo
FIRE	$2.04M	$6,800/mo
Fat FIRE	$5.31M	$17,700/mo

Cost data: Q1 2026 · High confidence

Cost of Living Breakdown for Tampa

All cost and FIRE figures assume a single adult.

Lean FIRE Lifestyle

$1.23M

You live in a modest apartment in Seminole Heights or Temple Terrace and cook most meals at home. Cuban sandwich shops in West Tampa and Ybor City provide affordable dining a couple of times a week. The Riverwalk and Tampa Bay's waterfront parks are free, and Florida's zero income tax helps stretch a tight budget. Summer A/C costs are significant, and a car is necessary for most of the city.

FIRE Lifestyle

$2.04M

You can rent a house in South Tampa or a waterfront condo on Harbour Island, and dine regularly at restaurants like Bern's Steak House and Ulele. Lightning season tickets, a Straz Center performing arts subscription, and weekend boating on the bay all fit comfortably. Good private healthcare and a reliable car for beach trips round out a comfortable waterfront life with no state income tax.

Fat FIRE Lifestyle

$5.31M

Premium waterfront housing along Bayshore Boulevard or on Davis Islands, regular fine dining, a cook who comes several times a week, and a housekeeper. First class travel, full concierge healthcare at Tampa General and access to Moffitt Cancer Center, and a luxury box at Raymond James Stadium. A well-maintained boat for bay and Gulf cruises is a natural addition. Florida's zero income tax at this spending level represents significant annual savings.

Retirement Confidence

The 4% rule is a great starting point. Here we go a step further and test your plan against real market history.

Enter your portfolio on the homepage to backtest a retirement in Tampa against market history.

How this is calculated

This is a real historical backtest. We run your plan through every retirement-length window in US market history (1871–2022): a 75% stock / 25% bond portfolio, rebalanced annually, with withdrawals raised each year for that period's actual inflation. The success rate is the share of those historical start years in which the money lasted the full length without running out.

Your confidence level sets the bar: at Balanced (90%), a survival rate of 90% or more reads "You can retire here", within 10 points below is "Close — worth a closer look", and lower is "Not quite yet". The same level sizes the "Needed to retire here" target. Retirement length also drives it — early retirees planning 40–50+ years see lower survival than the 30-year baseline.

Healthcare, Visa & City Overview

climate Warm

healthcare Excellent

english Widely spoken

safety Exercise caution

visa Easy

Timezone

EST (UTC-5)

Currency

USD

Language

English

Avg. Temperature

73°F / 23°C

Internet

200+ Mbps average

Airport

Tampa International Airport (TPA)

Frequently Asked Questions About Retiring in Tampa

What is the FIRE Number for Tampa, United States?

The FIRE Number for Tampa ranges from $1.23M (Lean FIRE lifestyle) to $5.31M (Fat FIRE lifestyle). A FIRE retirement requires a portfolio of approximately $2.04M, based on estimated monthly costs of $6,800 and a 4% safe withdrawal rate.

How much does it cost to retire in Tampa?

Monthly living costs in Tampa range from $4,100 (Lean FIRE) to $6,800 (FIRE), covering housing, dining, groceries, healthcare, transportation, entertainment, and utilities.

What is healthcare like in Tampa for retirees?

Healthcare in Tampa costs approximately $725 to $725/month depending on coverage level. ACA marketplace Silver plan; Florida premiums can run high without subsidies.

What is the weather like in Tampa?

Subtropical with hot, humid summers and warm, mild winters The average temperature is 73°F / 23°C.

How safe is Tampa for retirees?

Moderate – varies by neighborhood, improving rapidly downtown