Inflation in Tampa Compared to The Rest of The USA
There’s no question that inflation is hitting the nation hard. Whether you’re looking to buy a car, lease an apartment, or buy a carton of eggs, everything just costs more. Here’s how inflation in Tampa compares to the rest of the USA.
Stacker recently released their report on how Inflation of 10 items in Tampa compares to the rest of the US and we found it very interesting. It may not seem like a huge increase for each item, but think about it adding up for every item in your cart.
Pizza Thursday is my weekly tradition. I don’t dine out at a fancy pizza establishment, but instead, I run to Walmart to grab Jack’s frozen pepperoni pizza. It’s basically a chip. In 2020, the price per pizza was $2.51. By 2024, the price is $3.86 and I’ve seen it as high as $4.That is a 54% increase … on PIZZA.
How Inflation in Tampa Has Been Worse Than The US Average:
Stacker used the Bureau of Labor Statistics to analyze and compare 10 items or commodities in Tampa to the national price in February.
Cereals and bakery goods increased in Tampa by 4.5% while the nationwide change was only up by 1.7%. Check out Captain Crunch. The boxes are getting smaller and the prices are skyrocketing. Don’t believe me? A 2001 Regular Captain Crunch box shows 16 ounces on the box for the basic sized box. In 2024, the regular Captain Crunch basic box has only 12.6 ounces.
Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs were up 1.1% in Tampa but were down 0.5% across the nation. That’s not a huge percentage increase, but when you look at Vital Farms Pasture Raised eggs are $6.39, you’ll notice it adds up.
Fruits and vegetables are up about 2.9% and the rest of the nation is only seeing a 0.8% increase. The one-month change is up 0.9% in Tampa and down a slight 0.2% nationwide.
We all know housing right now is crazy just about anywhere in Florida. With Tampa’s average up 6%, the rest of the nation is seeing a 4.5% increase. More and more apartment complexes are popping up as prices surge.
Let’s talk about dairy. Tampa has seen a 5.4% increase annually with the rest of the nation seeing a 1.8% decrease. We’re down 2.3% in the past month, but nowhere close to the nation’s average.
For more information on Inflation in Tampa and other common goods and commodities Stacker analyzed in this report, visit their site here.
[Main Source: Stacker]
What Tampa Is Doing Right Compared To Other Major U.S. Cities
Excellent Airport
There’s a reason TPA has a cult-like following. It’s because it’s been named one of America’s best airports over and over again. Tampa International Airport is so organized and efficient compared to other airports like MCO (and from my personal experiences) Denver Airport, Phoenix, LAX, etc.
Free/Cheap Public Transport
While Tampa is lacking some major public transport like a light rail, the systems we do have are reliable and fairly affordable. We are forever grateful the TECO streetcar in Downtown Tampa is free to use. Our preferred way of getting around on Lightning game days. Plus, there’s the Pirate Taxi, Cross Bay Ferry, and downtown has the cheap option of the Dash Tesla cabs. Riders are $2 each.
Culture
Tampa is known for it’s diverse population with a lack of segregated areas (besides Hyde Park and Davis Island). From restaurants, to art galleries and museums, Tampa is flooded with all kinds of culture. We are also home to the only trilingual paper in the country.
