Tampa metro tops state in new jobs, cost of living

TAMPA — Job growth in the Tampa metro area in December was tops in Florida, according to a statement from the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corp.

The region added 41,400 private sector jobs in December 2015 compared to December 2014. As job growth increased, the area's unemployment rate decreased by 0.9% year-over-year, falling to 4.4%, the statement adds.

Adding to the Tampa metro area's appeal is its relative cost of living, officials say. According to the Tampa Hillsborough EDC's most recent Cost of Living Index — which measures the relative price levels for consumer goods and services on a scale where 100 is average — Tampa's cost of living is 92.3. That figure is the lowest in Florida.

That mean's Tampa metro's housing, groceries, gas, clothing and health care costs are all lower than the national average, says Randy Smith, director of research for the Tampa Hillsborough EDC, in the statement.

Here's a glance at how Tampa compares to the Atlanta metro area in several cost of living categories. Prices are the median costs for each product or service.

Location T-Bone steak Home Price Gas Doctor Hair Cut
Tampa: $11.13 $223,637 $2.326 $86.50 $13.97
Atlanta: $12.83 $289,012 $2.458 $95.50 $17.77
Source: Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corp.