How to Find an Apartment in Tampa, FL 2021

Tampa is situated along the namesake bay in Florida's Gulf Coast region. With sparkling views and dynamic downtown, Tampa grew into a major business and cultural center. Dining, attractions, museums, and year-round, sunny weather are major draws for millennials and retirees.

Ready to find your next apartment in Tampa? We put together a guide to help you find the best neighborhood and apartment amenities in Tampa.

How to Find the Best Tampa Neighborhood

Tampa's neighborhoods are brimming with pubs, restaurants, and outdoor recreation opportunities. You can live in the heart of Downtown Tampa to take advantage of its urban amenities or live on the outskirts with waterfront views.

With so many Tampa neighborhoods to choose from, it’s easy to create the lifestyle you want that fits your budget.

1. Downtown

Downtown Tampa puts locals in the middle of the city's booming urban development with luxury highrises and new apartment buildings. Attractions like Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, museums, the Florida Aquarium, and the Riverwalk connect locals with Tampa’s pulse.

2. Palma Ceia

Situated southwest of Downtown Tampa, Palma Ceia attracts young professionals who want to take advantage of dining, cafes, and greenspace. The community is walkable, family-friendly, and home to the Palma Ceia Business & Design District, boutiques, shops, and art galleries.

3. Ybor City

Live in the historic district of Ybor City with quirky boutiques and vintage shops located along 7th Avenue. The LGBTQ+ community boasts a 1920s bakery-turned-museum, an old-fashioned streetcar, and Ybor City Market.

4. Hyde Park

Hyde Park, Tampa, is bustling with laid-back restaurants, cocktail bars, and boutiques. The neighborhood is a popular option for nearby University of Tampa students and staff.

5. Channel District

Channel District is a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood booming with new highrises, boutiques, and restaurants. Locals stroll the waterfront and the Water Street Tampa multi-billion dollar development. The neighborhood also features some of the best attractions in the city, including The Florida Aquarium and Sparkman Wharf.

Learn more about the best Tampa neighborhoods to find the best to rent your next apartment.

How Much are Apartments in Tampa?

IIf you're considering moving to Tampa, you'll need to know how much you can expect to spend on rent. Before you set your budget, learn more about the average rent prices.

Average Rent in Tampa

• The average rent for a Tampa studio apartment is $1,734
• The average rent for a Tampa 1-bedroom apartment is $1,867
• The average rent for a Tampa 2-bedroom apartment is $2,372
• The average rent for a Tampa 3-bedroom apartment is $2,746

Tampa rents have increased by 3.88% compared to last month and are up by 34.46% compared to the previous year.

• 2% of apartments in Tampa cost less than $1,000 per month.
• 46% of apartments in Tampa cost between $1,000-$1,999 per month.
• 44% of apartments in Tampa cost between $2,000-$2,999 per month.
• 8% of apartments in Tampa cost over $3,000 per month.

How to Find Cheap Apartments in Tampa?

Tampa’s cost of living is on the rise, but it is still a reasonable place to live, especially for a coastal metropolitan area. It's still possible to find cheap places to live while apartment hunting. Like most cities, you can also negotiate on older, outdated apartments. Some renters also ask about middle floor units and if a discount is possible. The top and bottom floors of apartment buildings are notoriously more expensive, especially if waterfront views are involved.

Get more tips on finding an apartment you can afford in Tampa.

Move-in specials are great for renters looking for cheap places to live in Tampa. You might find discounts on application fees, a free month of rent, or a long-term lease. Even if the neighborhood you want to live in is expensive, move-in specials are still worth the research. You can also look for units off of the commercial strip, away from the action, to save more.

Remember, there's more to budgeting than your monthly rent. There are several hidden expenses you may not the k about while apartment hunting. Our apartment budget checklist includes everything you need to consider your costs, including your move and renters' insurance. Tampa's warm weather is a huge draw but comes with high heat and humidity during the summer. Factor in a higher power bill during the summer months when you want to beat the heat.

Once you have a better idea of your budget and where you want to live, prepare for your apartment tour. Have all of your documentation and references so you can sign on the spot if it's the perfect place for you. The cheapest and nicest apartments in Tampa will go quickly, so you'll need to move fast.

What’s the Best Time to Find an Apartment in Tampa?

Many people don't realize that apartment rents fluctuate depending on the season. You'll probably find the best time to rent an apartment in Tampa is during the winter months. This trend reflects the rest of the country's rental markets too. It makes sense that fewer people are moving and looking for new leases during the winter.

Apartment hunting is usually more competitive during the summer months (July through September), with fewer rent deals and move-in specials. Despite the trends, apartment hunting during summer isn't always bad. More people are moving out of their units, and more apartments are on the market.

How to Find an Apartment?

Make your next apartment search in Tampa a stress-free experience. Here's what to do to find your perfect neighborhood and place to live.

Determine Your Budget

Your budget sets the stage for where you'll live in Tampa. One of the easiest ways to get started figuring out your finances is with the 30% rule.

The 30% encourages spending no more than 30% of your pre-taxed monthly take-home pay on rent. Pre-taxed income is also referred to as your gross income, and it's a good rule of thumb to follow. You can also take your gross annual salary and divide it by 40 to get the same number!

Are you looking for a one-bedroom apartment in Tampa with a rent of $1,800? Your gross income should be at least $6,000 per month or about $72,000 per year. You can also reduce your expenses by teaming up with a roommate or exploring side hustles to make the most of your budget.

Understand the True Cost of Renting

The 30% rule is easy to use if your finances are simple. However, you may need to adjust your budget if you have additional financial obligations, such as student loans. How much apartment can you really afford? You'll also need to budget for apartment expenses that you may not consider while apartment hunting, including:

• Apartment application fees
• Security deposit
• Moving costs
• Pet deposit
• Move-in fees

Looking through a few months of bank statements and credit card bills can help you get on top of your actual budget. If you have credit card debt or need to tackle outstanding medical bills, you should make more adjustments with the 30% rule.

We know finances are a touchy subject, but we made the process easy for you. Our Rent Calculator helps you determine how much rent you can afford to find your dream apartment in Tampa.

Set Your Apartment Priorities

Tampa is rapidly growing and offers everything from culture to waterfront living. You're never far from the beach in Tampa either. Luxury highrises will, of course, come at a premium price tag. Older apartment buildings may be a good option if you're sticking to a tighter budget. Before apartment hunting, decide which priorities matter the most to you and what you want to spend additional income on, such as culture and nightlife.

Amenities

Amenities are high on the list when choosing the right apartment. Brainstorm a list of all of your needs, wants, and would like to have. You'll get a clear picture of your non-negotiables and what you're willing to compromise on when moving to Tampa.

Tampa Location/Neighborhood

Choosing the right neighborhood amenities and location is crucial to most apartment hunters. Downtown Tampa offers the best convenience to the rest of the city, though often has higher rent prices. You'll save more on rent outside of Tampa, but you'll need to consider your commute and how far away you'll live from amenities. Make sure you've weighed the pros and cons of each apartment and which compromises you can live with before signing your next lease.

Taxes

Like the rest of Florida, Tampa does not have a personal income tax, meaning you won't have to worry about state income taxes every year and save more annually. However, the statewide sales tax rate is 6%, and some counties impose their own sales tax rate. Depending on where you are, you may pay as much as 8.5%.

Commute Time

Tampa's traffic is intense, and people often have to endure long rush-hour commutes. Choosing an apartment near your workplace may be a big win if you don't want to spend time stuck in the car. However, living farther away from the city usually comes with more space at an affordable price tag.

Tampa's walk score is 49, meaning getting around on foot is reasonable depending on where you rent an apartment. The bike score is 57, and the transit score clocks in at 34. Renting an apartment near bike paths or public transportation reduces your budget and probably frees up more time on your commute.

Public Transportation in Tampa

Public transportation is available in Tampa by bus and the TECO Line Streetcar. The free Streetcar is ideal if you live in the surrounding Downtown Tampa area and keep your budget in check. It connects historic Ybor City to Channelside Bay Plaza, the core of the convention center, downtown dining, shopping, and entertainment. If you're traveling by bus on HART, plan to spend $2 per ride or $32.50 for a monthly card.

Coast Bike Share also provides rideshares across Tampa and the University of South Florida. Like most major cities, Lyft and Uber also help reduce your reliance on a driving lifestyle.

Prepare for Tampa Apartment Tours

Plan to take an apartment tour before signing your next apartment lease in Tampa. Many places started offering virtual tours during the pandemic, but it's helpful to see the apartment in person and meet the landlord or property managers.

Get an idea of how the apartment application process works here.

Pull up the original apartment listing on your phone during the tour and check that everything is accounted for. Keep your wishlist of amenities handy to refresh your memory on what you need and want in your apartment. It's also helpful to bring a list of questions to ask, including information about building rules and colors you can paint your apartment.

Applying for Your Tampa Apartment

Your hard work and diligence paid off! It's time to sign your lease. You'll need your ID, pay stubs, bank statements, and references to make the process as easy as possible. First-time renters won't have landlord references or rental history, and that's okay. Personal references usually work fine. If you get stuck in the process, ask if a lease guarantor is also an option. If you're new to renting, get familiar with the apartment application process here.

Desirable, affordable apartments go quickly around Tampa. If you've found your perfect place, come prepared to sign your lease as soon as possible. Have cash or a credit card to pay for your application fees and anything extra like a separate background check. Some property managers will also accept a personal or cashier's check.

Protect Yourself from Rental Scams

Apartment hunting should be a drama-free experience, though it’s important to watch out for rental fraud and scams. Bait and switch listings and apartments that don't even exist are common scams that cost U.S. renters upwards of $5.2 million every year. One in three people has lost over $1,000 after paying a security deposit that turned out to be a scam.

Brush up on rental scams and be diligent during your apartment search. Trust your gut for deals that sound "too good to be true." Asking for references or only working with established landlords and property managers will help.

Ready to Rent?

Congratulations on your decision to move! Tampa is a fabulous city with culture, a booming job market, fantastic views, lots of entertainment, and an idyllic location. Ready to make your move to Tampa? Apartment List is here to help you find your dream home.

Here’s how it works: First, we get to know you. You’ll answer a few simple questions, and we’ll find the best matches – just for you. Then, we mix and match your personalized results, making it easy to discover places with the perfect combination of price, location, and amenities.

Learn more about the best and the cheapest places to live in Florida as well as the cost of living in Florida.