Support Us Button Widget

How difficult is it to buy a home in Tampa Bay?

This NBC tool utilizes home prices, interest rates, and availability (among other factors) to determine just how difficult it is to buy a home in the Tampa Bay area.

Hyde Park Village in the sunshine. There is someone walking along the sidewalk in the background, while tables and chairs line the square. Trees are overhead and shops line the buildings in the background.

Maybe one day.

Photo by TBAYtoday

Whether you’re planning your next move or just love scrolling Zillow, NBC’s home buyer index — which debuted which is updated monthly — might help you keep better tabs on the Tampa Bay real estate market as it shifts from month to month.

How it works

The study uses a 0-100 scale to measure the level of difficulty when purchasing a home; the higher the score, the more difficult. It’s measured using four factors: cost, competition, scarcity, and economic instability (think: market volatility, unemployment, and interest rates).

Is it legit? A real estate industry analyst, bank economist from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, and other experts helped develop the tool, according to NBC News. Examine the methodology.

A few caveats: The index does not capture additional homebuying difficulties for certain groups, such as those with lower credit scores, and it can’t always capture data for more rural communities.

Tampa Bay’s rating

The data listed below comes from October 2024, but it’s updated monthly — in other words, you can check back whenever you’re curious. Check out our counties’ numbers, on a scale of 0 (easy) to 100 (difficult):

Hillsborough County

  • Overall difficulty index | 67.1
  • Cost index | 87.6
  • Competition index | 36.5
  • Scarcity index | 33.8
  • Economic instability index | 91.2

Pinellas County

  • Overall difficulty index | 58.2
  • Cost index | 85.4
  • Competition index | 10.2
  • Scarcity index | 25.5
  • Economic instability index | 90.9

The index also shares that a median income buyer here in Hillsborough County can afford a $381,000 home — compare that to the median list price for a home, which is $425,000.
Feel good about buying, but want to stay updated on what it’s like to live in the Tampa Bay area? Check out our City Guides for the 411.

More from TBAYtoday
Whether you want to indulge in a lavish end of year meal or shimmy all night, we’ve got you covered.
Let us know what we should cover in Tampa + the Burg in 2025.
The pocket of Scotland and TBAY sister city is home to thousands of years of history.
Well, maybe not us directly — but TBAY and St. Pete really are the gifts that keep on giving.
As Tampa Bay continues to grow, we’re keeping an eye on upcoming developments and recently-opened businesses.
TBAYtoday readers shared which local restaurants + meals they miss the most — and we think you’ll agree.
Historical markers are physical signs, plaques, and statues that commemorate a significant place or event. Where would you like to see a historical marker around Tampa Bay?
Pack your reusable shopping bags, because we’ve rounded up 12 farmers’ markets around TBAY.
Bookmark this list for when you don’t feel like cheffing it up for the holidays.
We’re checking in on where the Rays might play in 2026, the Bucs’ victorious run, and who’s playing in the ReliaQuest Bowl.