Skyline of Tallahassee
Cost of Living: 96.5 196,169

Tallahassee, FL, US

Florida's capital with FSU Seminoles, oak canopy roads, and no state income tax.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 96.5

Below Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 88.5

Affordable

Median Income $46,000

Household income

Unemployment 3.5%

Job market health

Tallahassee vs US Average

Cost of Living
Tallahassee: 96.5
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Tallahassee: 88.5
US Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 7.5%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $46,000
  • Unemployment: 3.5%
  • Population: 196,169

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 234/year
  • Summer High: 92°F
  • Winter Low: 40°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 6a

Housing

  • Median Home: $245,000
  • 1BR Rent: $1200/mo

Cost of Living

Tallahassee's cost of living index is 96.5 (US average = 100).

CategoryTallahasseeNational AverageDifference
Overall96.5100-3.5%
Housing88.5100-11.5%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$245,000
Median Rent (1BR)$1200/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,500/mo
Price per Sq Ft$163

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Tallahassee:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$135Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$54Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)$19Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$55Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$60Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$30Private service
Total Utilities$353Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Tallahassee scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
96.5
Rent
$1200
Sunny Days
234
Tax
None
Unemployment
3.5%
Climate
92°F / 40°F
Safety
5.8 homicides/100k
Population
196,169
Internet Speed
200 Mbps

Climate

Tallahassee has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January60°F40°F2.5"
April77°F55°F2.8"
July92°F67°F1.5"
October72°F58°F2.2"
USDA Zone 6a

Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables

Natural Hazards

Tallahassee faces the following natural hazards:

Heat Wave Extreme Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Hurricane High Risk

Gulf Coast affected by hurricanes.

Flood High Risk

Flash floods.

Tornado Moderate Risk

Tornado risk.

Wildfire Moderate Risk

Wildfire risk in dry season.

Drought Moderate Risk

Periodic drought conditions.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 7.5%
  • Property Tax: ~0.98% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 3.5%.

Schools & Education

62/100
School Quality Score
Better than 67% of US cities
?
60
Total Schools
7.2:1
Student:Teacher
92.5%
Free/Reduced Lunch

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Tallahassee, FL, US?

The cost of living index in Tallahassee is 96.5, which is Lower the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Tallahassee?

The median home price in Tallahassee is $245,000. The housing index is 88.5.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Tallahassee is approximately $1200/mo.

Does Tallahassee, FL have income tax?

Tallahassee is in FL, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Tallahassee?

Tallahassee enjoys approximately 234 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 92°F, while winter lows can drop to around 40°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.