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Best suburbs in Tampa

Written by:
April 25, 2024
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Best suburbs in Tampa

The GI Bill of Rights, Ike's interstate system, suburban development, and the growing affordability of cars allowed the suburbs to flourish throughout the mid-20th century. During this era, a new American Dream was established: one with single-family homes, white picket fences, and lush green lawns.

Today, however, the traditional suburb may no longer cater to what 79% of Americans want: walkability. Younger people are especially attracted to neighborhoods where stores, restaurants, and other amenities are a short walk away, according to a National Association of Realtors survey released in 2023. But a good location comes with a cost.

A Redfin analysis showed homes in 2019 in walkable areas sold for almost 25% more than homes without the same walkability, equivalent to nearly $78,000 more in the national average. Some suburbs offer the amenities of city life, whether through easy transit to big cities (such as Wilmette, Illinois, with easy proximity to Chicago), or college-town amenities such as those found in Claremont, California.

What individual families and people look for in a suburb will vary, of course, with some prioritizing quiet and extra space, even if that means driving more often.

Stacker used data from Niche to examine the best suburbs in Tampa. Niche ranked suburbs across the U.S. based on several factors, including diversity, the cost of living, the share of the population with college degrees, and the quality of schools and housing.

Read on to see the highest-ranked suburbs in Tampa.

Family with two children walking on pedestrian bridge in city park.
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imtmphoto // Shutterstock

#25. Land O' Lakes, Florida

- Population: 40,843
- Median home value: $318,200
- Median rental price: $1,630

- Top schools nearby: Land O' Lakes High School (grade A), Wiregrass Ranch High School (grade A), Dr. Kiran C. Patel High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Carrollwood Day School (grade A+), Academy at the Lakes (grade A+), American Youth Academy (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
Father gives son ride on his shoulders outside of house.
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#24. East Lake, Florida

- Population: 33,629
- Median home value: $435,000
- Median rental price: $1,592

- Top schools nearby: St. Petersburg Collegiate High School (grade A+), Osceola Fundamental High School (grade A), Wendell Krinn Technical High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Berkeley Preparatory School (grade A+), Clearwater Central Catholic High School (grade A+), Calvary Christian High School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
Shot of young couple with son playing in park.
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Josep Suria // Shutterstock

#23. Progress Village, Florida

- Population: 10,096
- Median home value: $241,000
- Median rental price: $1,723

- Top schools nearby: Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School (grade A), Dr. Kiran C. Patel High School (grade A), Bell Creek Academy High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Tampa Preparatory School (grade A+), Academy of the Holy Names (grade A+), Universal Academy of Florida (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
Cropped portrait of cheerful family playing soccer.
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#22. Riverview, Florida

- Population: 102,467
- Median home value: $292,700
- Median rental price: $1,757

- Top schools nearby: Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School (grade A), Newsome High School (grade A), Bloomingdale High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Tampa Preparatory School (grade A+), Academy of the Holy Names (grade A+), Universal Academy of Florida (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
Two happy girlfriends looking in a shop window.
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RossHelen // Shutterstock

#21. Seffner, Florida

- Population: 8,597
- Median home value: $277,600
- Median rental price: $1,578

- Top schools nearby: Strawberry Crest High School (grade A), Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School (grade A), Dr. Kiran C. Patel High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Tampa Preparatory School (grade A+), Academy of the Holy Names (grade A+), Universal Academy of Florida (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
Young happy women shopping for vegetables and fruits.
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#20. Town 'n' Country, Florida

- Population: 89,456
- Median home value: $261,300
- Median rental price: $1,536

- Top schools nearby: Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School (grade A), Dr. Kiran C. Patel High School (grade A), Bell Creek Academy High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Berkeley Preparatory School (grade A+), Tampa Preparatory School (grade A+), Carrollwood Day School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
Couple in business clothes leaving home for work.
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#19. Brandon, Florida

- Population: 114,923
- Median home value: $266,400
- Median rental price: $1,570

- Top schools nearby: Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School (grade A), Bloomingdale High School (grade A), Dr. Kiran C. Patel High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Tampa Preparatory School (grade A+), Academy of the Holy Names (grade A+), Universal Academy of Florida (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
Mother and children playing basketball on driveway.
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#18. Oldsmar, Florida

- Population: 14,877
- Median home value: $323,200
- Median rental price: $1,330

- Top schools nearby: St. Petersburg Collegiate High School (grade A+), Osceola Fundamental High School (grade A), East Lake High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Berkeley Preparatory School (grade A+), Shorecrest Preparatory School (grade A+), Jesuit High School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
Customers enjoying meals in busy restaurant.
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#17. Trinity, Florida

- Population: 18,672
- Median home value: $388,700
- Median rental price: $2,223

- Top schools nearby: St. Petersburg Collegiate High School (grade A+), James W. Mitchell High School (grade A), Wendell Krinn Technical High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Academy at the Lakes (grade A+), Genesis Preparatory School (grade A), Solid Rock Community School (grade A)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
Female bakery stall owner at a farmers market.
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#16. Valrico, Florida

- Population: 38,594
- Median home value: $326,600
- Median rental price: $1,704

- Top schools nearby: Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School (grade A), Newsome High School (grade A), Bloomingdale High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Universal Academy of Florida (grade A+), Seffner Christian Academy (grade A), Faith Christian Academy of Plant City (grade A−)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
Woman pushing child on swing on playground.
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oneinchpunch // Shutterstock

#15. Temple Terrace, Florida

- Population: 26,818
- Median home value: $278,900
- Median rental price: $1,372

- Top schools nearby: Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School (grade A), Dr. Kiran C. Patel High School (grade A), Bell Creek Academy High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Tampa Preparatory School (grade A+), Carrollwood Day School (grade A+), Academy at the Lakes (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
Father giving piggyback ride to his daughter while walking outside.
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Akarawut // Shutterstock

#14. Apollo Beach, Florida

- Population: 26,444
- Median home value: $377,900
- Median rental price: $1,991

- Top schools nearby: Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School (grade A), Dr. Kiran C. Patel High School (grade A), Bell Creek Academy High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Seffner Christian Academy (grade A), Hillsborough Baptist School (grade B), Providence Christian School (grade B)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
Young man and little girl laughing with ice cream.
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YAKOBCHUK VIACHESLAV // Shutterstock

#13. Fish Hawk, Florida

- Population: 25,179
- Median home value: $464,800
- Median rental price: $2,255

- Top schools nearby: Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School (grade A), Newsome High School (grade A), Bloomingdale High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Faith Christian Academy of Plant City (grade A−), Foundation Christian Academy (grade B), Providence Christian School (grade B)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
Happy family with child and shopping cart buying food at grocery store.
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Ground Picture // Shutterstock

#12. Cheval, Florida

- Population: 13,189
- Median home value: $449,800
- Median rental price: $1,285

- Top schools nearby: Steinbrenner High School (grade A+), Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School (grade A), Bell Creek Academy High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Berkeley Preparatory School (grade A+), Carrollwood Day School (grade A+), Academy at the Lakes (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
A group of young children getting on the schoolbus.
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Stuart Monk // Shutterstock

#11. Bloomingdale, Florida

- Population: 24,103
- Median home value: $339,300
- Median rental price: $2,119

- Top schools nearby: Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School (grade A), Newsome High School (grade A), Bloomingdale High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Seffner Christian Academy (grade A), Hillsborough Baptist School (grade B), Foundation Christian Academy (grade B)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
Boy learning to ride a bicycle with his father in park.
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Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#10. Citrus Park, Florida

- Population: 27,260
- Median home value: $323,800
- Median rental price: $1,626

- Top schools nearby: Steinbrenner High School (grade A+), Sickles High School (grade A), Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Berkeley Preparatory School (grade A+), Tampa Preparatory School (grade A+), Carrollwood Day School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
Two woman in small town downtown laughing.
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Laura Beach // Shutterstock

#9. Odessa, Florida

- Population: 7,538
- Median home value: $448,000
- Median rental price: $1,436

- Top schools nearby: James W. Mitchell High School (grade A), Dayspring Academy (grade A), Plato Academy Tampa Charter School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Carrollwood Day School (grade A+), Academy at the Lakes (grade A+), Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School (grade A)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
Staff serving a customer in a busy coffee shop.
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#8. Lake Magdalene, Florida

- Population: 31,546
- Median home value: $306,800
- Median rental price: $1,218

- Top schools nearby: Steinbrenner High School (grade A+), Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School (grade A), Dr. Kiran C. Patel High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Berkeley Preparatory School (grade A+), Tampa Preparatory School (grade A+), Carrollwood Day School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
Shot of a smiling senior couple taking together in a cafe.
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PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock

#7. Carrollwood, Florida

- Population: 36,148
- Median home value: $340,400
- Median rental price: $1,421

- Top schools nearby: Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School (grade A), Dr. Kiran C. Patel High School (grade A), Bell Creek Academy High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Berkeley Preparatory School (grade A+), Tampa Preparatory School (grade A+), Carrollwood Day School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: A
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
A family playing soccer together.
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Robert Kneschke // Shutterstock

#6. Wesley Chapel, Florida

- Population: 68,814
- Median home value: $325,600
- Median rental price: $1,837

- Top schools nearby: Wiregrass Ranch High School (grade A), Dr. Kiran C. Patel High School (grade A), Dayspring Academy (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Tampa Preparatory School (grade A+), Carrollwood Day School (grade A+), Academy at the Lakes (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: A
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
Happy young family sitting in a park.
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Mila Supinskaya Glashchenko // Shutterstock

#5. Northdale, Florida

- Population: 26,079
- Median home value: $341,900
- Median rental price: $1,582

- Top schools nearby: Steinbrenner High School (grade A+), Sickles High School (grade A), Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Berkeley Preparatory School (grade A+), Tampa Preparatory School (grade A+), Carrollwood Day School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: A
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
Happy family in backyard with dog.
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Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

#4. Lutz, Florida

- Population: 24,721
- Median home value: $403,200
- Median rental price: $1,562

- Top schools nearby: Steinbrenner High School (grade A+), Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School (grade A), Dr. Kiran C. Patel High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Tampa Preparatory School (grade A+), Carrollwood Day School (grade A+), Academy at the Lakes (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: A
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
Back view of a little girl on fathers shoulders and mom walking alongside.
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F8 studio // Shutterstock

#3. Pebble Creek, Florida

- Population: 10,976
- Median home value: $363,200
- Median rental price: $1,939

- Top schools nearby: Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School (grade A), Dr. Kiran C. Patel High School (grade A), Bell Creek Academy High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Academy at the Lakes (grade A+), Universal Academy of Florida (grade A+), American Youth Academy (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: A
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
Little boy running with his dog on a leash.
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FamVeld // Shutterstock

#2. Keystone, Florida

- Population: 26,059
- Median home value: $528,700
- Median rental price: $2,088

- Top schools nearby: St. Petersburg Collegiate High School (grade A+), Steinbrenner High School (grade A+), Sickles High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Berkeley Preparatory School (grade A+), Carrollwood Day School (grade A+), Academy at the Lakes (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: A
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
Senior couple on walk with a dog.
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PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock

#1. Westchase, Florida

- Population: 24,891
- Median home value: $442,600
- Median rental price: $1,915

- Top schools nearby: St. Petersburg Collegiate High School (grade A+), Sickles High School (grade A), Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Berkeley Preparatory School (grade A+), Tampa Preparatory School (grade A+), Carrollwood Day School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: A
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 67 metros.

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