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.
#25. Land O' Lakes, Florida
- 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−
#24. East Lake, Florida
- 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−
#23. Progress Village, Florida
- 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−
#22. Riverview, Florida
- 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−
#21. Seffner, Florida
- 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−
#20. Town 'n' Country, Florida
- 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−
#19. Brandon, Florida
- 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−
#18. Oldsmar, Florida
- 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−
#17. Trinity, Florida
- 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+
#16. Valrico, Florida
- 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−
#15. Temple Terrace, Florida
- 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
#14. Apollo Beach, Florida
- 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
#13. Fish Hawk, Florida
- 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−
#12. Cheval, Florida
- 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−
#11. Bloomingdale, Florida
- 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−
#10. Citrus Park, Florida
- 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
#9. Odessa, Florida
- 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+
#8. Lake Magdalene, Florida
- 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−
#7. Carrollwood, Florida
- 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
#6. Wesley Chapel, Florida
- 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−
#5. Northdale, Florida
- 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−
#4. Lutz, Florida
- 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
#3. Pebble Creek, Florida
- 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−
#2. Keystone, Florida
- 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
#1. Westchase, Florida
- 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.