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Where are the best places to buy a home in Tampa Bay in 2026?
Tampa Bay spans five counties with 30+ distinct communities and median prices ranging from $295K in Sun City Center to $8M+ on Bayshore Boulevard. Top school districts in Westchase, Valrico, and Wesley Chapel attract families. First-time buyers find the best value in Riverview, Plant City, and Ruskin - all under $370K median.
Browse active residential listings across the entire Tampa Bay metro area - updated daily from the Stellar MLS, the largest multiple listing service in Florida. Use the filters to narrow by price, bedrooms, location, property type, and more.
Use the search bar above to find homes by city, zip, price, beds, and more — or browse by community and price range below.
Jump directly to homes in your budget across the entire Tampa Bay area.
Click any community for active listings, market data, school ratings, neighborhood profiles, and pricing trends. Each page is a complete guide to buying in that area - written by a local agent who knows the market inside and out.
Tampa, South Tampa, Brandon, Riverview, and surrounding areas
St. Petersburg, Clearwater, beaches, and barrier islands
Wesley Chapel, Land O' Lakes, and the north Tampa Bay growth corridor
Premium properties, branded residences, and waterfront estates across Tampa Bay
Ready to Find Your Home?
Get personalized listings and expert guidance. Barrett Henry, REALTOR® with REMAX Collective, works with buyers and sellers across all five Tampa Bay counties.
Schedule a Free Consultation (813) 733-7907Not sure where to start? Here's how different buyer profiles match up with Tampa Bay communities. Every buyer's situation is different - these are starting points, and Barrett can help you narrow it down based on your specific priorities.
Affordable entry points with solid neighborhoods, growing equity, and access to FHA and conventional financing. These communities offer the most home for the money.
Ruskin ($315K) · Plant City ($335K) · Riverview ($360K) · Seffner ($365K) · Wimauma ($375K)
Top-rated school zones with family-friendly neighborhoods, parks, youth sports, and activities. These areas consistently rank among the best in Hillsborough and Pasco counties.
Westchase (Alonso, A) · Lutz (Steinbrenner, A) · Valrico (Newsome, 9/10) · Lithia (Newsome, 9/10) · Wesley Chapel (A-rated)
Close to downtown Tampa, the airport, major hospitals, and employment centers. Short commutes and walkable neighborhoods for those who work in the city.
Town 'n' Country (10 min TPA) · Carrollwood (15 min DT) · Temple Terrace (15 min DT) · South Tampa · Seminole Heights
Brand-new homes from national builders with resort-style amenities, builder incentives, and warranty coverage. Tampa Bay's growth corridor offers some of Florida's best new communities.
Wimauma (Mirada) · Riverview · Wesley Chapel · Ruskin · Land O' Lakes
Active adult living with golf, social clubs, healthcare access, and low-maintenance lifestyles. Florida's homestead exemption and zero state income tax make retirement dollars go further.
Sun City Center ($295K, 6+ golf courses) · Treasure Island (Beach living) · Apollo Beach
Deep-water access, Gulf-front living, canal homes, and island communities. Tampa Bay has more waterfront options than almost any metro in Florida - from canals to open bay to Gulf beaches.
Apollo Beach · Snell Isle · Tierra Verde · Davis Islands · Harbour Island
Walk to the beach every day. Gulf of Mexico living on Florida's barrier islands with sugar-sand beaches, waterfront dining, and resort-town vibes year-round.
Clearwater Beach · Sand Key · Treasure Island & Pass-a-Grille
Downtown living, branded residences, walkable dining and entertainment districts. Tampa's Water Street and St. Pete's downtown are two of Florida's most vibrant urban cores.
Downtown Tampa / Water Street · Downtown St. Pete · Harbour Island · Seminole Heights
Compare median home prices and days on market across every Tampa Bay community we cover. Click any community name for the full guide with active listings and detailed market data.
| Community | Median Price | Avg. DOM | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun City Center | $295K - $310K | 50-70 days | 55+ / Retirees |
| Temple Terrace | $300K - $400K | 30-50 days | USF area / Value |
| Ruskin | $315K - $320K | 55-75 days | Waterfront / Affordable |
| Plant City | $335K - $350K | 44-52 days | Small town / Acreage |
| Brandon | $350K - $400K | 50 days | Central / Established |
| Riverview | $360K - $425K | 65-80 days | New construction / Families |
| Seffner | $365K - $450K | 45-65 days | Space / No HOA |
| Wimauma | ~$375K | 55-75 days | New builds / Crystal lagoon |
| Tampa | $376K - $460K | 68 days | Urban / Jobs |
| Apollo Beach | $380K - $460K | 55 days | Waterfront / Boating |
| Town 'n' Country | $390K - $415K | 40-55 days | Airport / Dining diversity |
| Seminole Heights | $400K - $550K | 40-60 days | Urban / Character / Breweries |
| Valrico | $413K - $460K | 57 days | Top schools / Families |
| Carrollwood | $429K - $479K | 40-55 days | Central / Established |
| New Tampa | $450K - $600K | 40-55 days | Newer builds / USF area |
| Westchase | $490K - $560K | 20-40 days | Top schools / Master-planned |
| Lutz | $491K - $750K | 50-65 days | Premium / Steinbrenner zone |
| Lithia / FishHawk | $505K - $688K | 69 days | FishHawk Ranch / Schools |
| South Tampa | $650K - $2M+ | 50-70 days | Luxury / Hyde Park / Palma Ceia |
| Harbour Island | $400K - $2.5M | 45-70 days | Urban island / Walkable |
| Downtown Tampa | $500K - $8M+ | 40-70 days | Branded residences / Urban |
| Davis Islands | $700K - $5M+ | 55-80 days | Waterfront / Yacht club |
| Bayshore Boulevard | $1M - $8M+ | 55-80 days | Bayfront estates / Luxury |
| Community | Median Price | Avg. DOM | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treasure Island | $680K - $1.8M+ | 55-85 days | Beach town / Rentals |
| Sand Key & Tierra Verde | $600K - $5M+ | 50-90 days | Island living / Boating |
| St. Petersburg | $600K - $5M+ | 50-70 days | Arts / High-rise / Waterfront |
| Clearwater & Belleair | $800K - $10M+ | 50-75 days | Gulf-front / Country club |
| Snell Isle | $1.2M - $8M+ | 55-80 days | Gated peninsula / Deep water |
| Pass-a-Grille | $1.6M - $5M+ | 65-100 days | Historic village / Ultra-premium |
| Community | Median Price | Avg. DOM | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Land O' Lakes | $380K - $600K | 45-60 days | Families / Suncoast Pkwy access |
| Wesley Chapel | $400K - $700K | 45-65 days | New construction / A-rated schools |
Market data is approximate and subject to change. Sorted by median price low to high within each county. For current figures, contact Barrett.
Tampa Bay is one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the United States, and for good reason. With a population exceeding 3.2 million across five counties, the region offers a combination of economic opportunity, quality of life, and affordability that few metros can match. Here's what draws buyers from across the country - and increasingly, the world.
Florida has no state income tax - which can save households thousands annually compared to states like New York, California, New Jersey, or Illinois. Combined with Florida's homestead exemption (which can reduce taxable value by $50,000 on a primary residence), property owners save significantly on their annual tax bill. For retirees, this means Social Security, pensions, and retirement withdrawals are all tax-free at the state level.
Major employers include Tampa General Hospital, BayCare Health System, USAA, Citigroup, Raymond James, JPMorgan Chase, and a rapidly growing tech sector. MacDill Air Force Base adds a significant military presence and supports thousands of civilian jobs. Tampa's Water Street development has attracted new corporate headquarters and mixed-use projects worth billions. The University of South Florida, with 50,000+ students, drives research, healthcare innovation, and a steady pipeline of talent.
Tampa Bay remains significantly more affordable than Miami, Naples, Sarasota, or any major Northeast metro. A family earning $100K can realistically own a single-family home with a yard in a good school district here - something increasingly impossible in South Florida. The median home price across the metro sits around $400K-$430K, with entry-level options starting below $300K in communities like Ruskin, Sun City Center, and Plant City.
Subtropical climate with 240+ sunny days per year, mild winters, and Gulf Coast beaches within 30-45 minutes of most communities. Tampa Bay's outdoor lifestyle includes year-round boating, fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, golf (hundreds of courses), and world-class state parks like Fort De Soto. The region also offers Busch Gardens, the Florida Aquarium, ZooTampa, and a dining scene that's exploded in recent years - particularly in Seminole Heights, South Tampa, and downtown St. Pete.
Tampa Bay is a major healthcare hub with multiple top-tier hospital systems. Tampa General Hospital is ranked among America's best by U.S. News, Moffitt Cancer Center is a nationally recognized cancer research institution, and BayCare Health System operates 15+ hospitals across the region. For retirees and families alike, access to world-class medical care is a significant quality-of-life factor.
Tampa International Airport (TPA) is consistently ranked among the best airports in the country - clean, efficient, and rarely delayed. The region's road network includes I-75, I-4, I-275, the Selmon Expressway, Veterans Expressway, and Suncoast Parkway. Brightline high-speed rail expansion to Tampa is in the planning stages, which would connect Tampa to Orlando and eventually South Florida by rail.
Tampa Bay is a championship city - home to the Buccaneers (NFL), Lightning (NHL), Rays (MLB), and Rowdies (USL Championship soccer). The cultural scene includes the Straz Center for Performing Arts, the Dali Museum in St. Pete, MOSI, and a growing gallery and arts district. The Gasparilla festival, one of America's largest pirate-themed parades, draws hundreds of thousands to Bayshore Boulevard each year.
If you're relocating to Florida or buying for the first time, here's a step-by-step overview of the process - including Florida-specific details that differ from other states.
After closing: File for homestead exemption immediately - it can save you thousands on property taxes. You have until March 1 of the year following your purchase. Also get a wind mitigation inspection if your home has hurricane-rated features - this can dramatically reduce your insurance premiums.
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