The Pros & Cons Of Living In Plant City, FL

Tampa is an absolute gem of a city, with fabulous weather, access to outdoor recreation, and plenty of things to see and do. Yet city living isn’t for everyone. Fortunately, Tampa has many amazing suburbs, including Plant City.

Plant City is located about 20 miles east of Tampa. With a population of approximately 40,000 people, it offers a slower pace of life. It is also very family-friendly, with affordable housing options and a lower cost of living compared to many other Tampa suburbs.

At Eaton Realty, we help both buyers and renters as they search for a home in West Central Florida. We take the time to listen to our clients to understand what they are looking for in a house and a community before beginning our search. Reach out today to discuss your Plant City home search with a member of our real estate team.

Find The Perfect Community In Hillsborough County For You. Speak To A Knowledgeable Local Realtor › 813-672-8022

All About Plant City

First established in the 1800s as Ichepuckesassa, Plant City has grown and evolved - and changed names - over time. It was first renamed Cork after the hometown of the area’s postmaster. Eventually, it was named Plant City after Henry B. Plant, the railroad developer whose South Florida Railroad was crucial to the development of the region.

Plant City began as a more rural area that was known for its agriculture. To this day, Plant City is still known for its world-famous strawberries. It is considered the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World. Plant City still hosts the Florida Strawberry Festival each winter.

One of the key features of Plant City is its access to green spaces. It is a very family-friendly area, with lots to do, including outdoor recreation. There are many parks scattered throughout town. It is also close to the Alafia River State Park and the Hillsborough River State Park, where residents can hike, fish, camp, and paddle.

Pros and Cons of Living in Plant City

Plant City is close enough to Tampa to make it possible to live there and commute to the city for work or play. It is far more affordable than many Tampa suburbs, with homes on larger lots and more green space than more densely-packed suburbs. Read on to learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of living in Plant City.

Pros of Living In Plant City

Lower Cost of Living

The median household income in Plant City is $64,536. This number is below the median income for all of Florida, which is $67,917. However, the cost of living in Plant City is 11% lower than the national average.

In Plant City, healthcare, housing, and utility costs are less than the national average, while groceries and transportation costs are slightly above the national average. Perhaps most importantly for house hunters, housing costs are 11% below the national average in Plant City. The median home price in Plant City is $337,751, while the median rent is $1,027. Energy bills average $198.87 per month, while gas averages out to $3.44 per gallon.

Groceries are slightly more expensive in Plant City. While the costs may vary based on market conditions, you may spend:

• $4.07 for a loaf of bread
• $4.79 for a gallon of milk
• $3.55 for a carton of eggs
• $.74 for a bunch of bananas
• $5.67 for a hamburger

In sum, a lower cost of living is a big advantage of living in Plant City. While groceries may cost you slightly more than the national average, you will spend less on almost everything else, including major expenses like housing, healthcare, and utilities. 

Warm Weather

Given its location in West Central Florida, it isn’t surprising that Plant City has a warm, subtropical climate. You can expect hot and humid weather in the summer and relatively mild, warm temperatures throughout the rest of the year. Plant City does get a lot of rain, and like all of Hillsborough County, it is at risk of hurricanes and tropical storms. 

For most people, the weather in Plant City probably falls into the “pro” column. If you want to live in the Tampa area, then you know that you will deal with pretty hot, sticky summers and hurricanes in the fall. The trade-off is absolutely gorgeous weather throughout most of the year, enabling you to get outside and enjoy all of the natural beauty of West Central Florida.

Strong Economy

65.5% of Plant City’s adult population is in the civilian labor force. There are also 1,111 businesses within the city. Because there are so many employers right in town, it is very possible to work directly in Plant City. Alternatively, you might find a job in Tampa and enjoy a reasonable commute.

Good Schools

Plant City is part of the Hillsborough County School District. It has multiple public schools, including Bryan Elementary, Burney Elementary, Cork Elementary, Knights Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, Springhead Elementary, Stonewall Jackson Elementary, Trapnell Elementary, Walden Lake Elementary, and Woodrow Wilson Elementary. Students then attend three middle schools - Marshall, Tomlin, or Turkey Creek Middle Schools - and one of two high schools - Plant City or Durant High Schools. There are also multiple private schools in Plant City, including Evangelical Presbyterian Church Learning Center, Faith Christian Academy of Plant City, Advantage Academy of Hillsborough, and First Presbyterian Learning Center.

Plant City is known for having great public and private schools. It is also home to the Quintilla Geer Bruton Memorial Library, which is part of the Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative.

Plenty of Things to Do

Plant City is home to many great parks. This includes the McIntosh Preserve, the Edward Medard Conservation Park, McCall Park, the Collins Street Mural Park, and the Otis M. Andrews Sports Complex. In addition, the Alafia River State Park and the Hillsborough River State Park are a relatively short drive away.

Plant City also has other fun things to do, such as visiting Dinosaur World, the Bing Rooming House African American Museum, or the Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum. There are some great restaurants in Plant City, plus a monthly food truck rally at McCall Park. Beyond Plant City, the many attractions of Tampa are a short drive away, such as Busch Gardens, professional sporting events, ZooTampa, and the Florida Aquarium. 

Diverse Population

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were an estimated 43,046 people living in Plant City in 2024. 14.1% of the population is aged 65 or older, while 22.3% of residents are under the age of 18.

Plant City is a fairly diverse city. 60.5% of the city is white, while 33.4% is Hispanic or Latino. 14.9% of the residents of Plant City are Black. 15.2% of all residents are foreign-born.

Plant City has a fairly young, diverse population. If living in this type of area is important to you, then Plant City might be a great choice for a place to rent or buy a house.

Cons Of Living In Plant City

Little Nightlife

Plant City has grown considerably since its days as a largely agricultural town. However, it still has a quieter, more laid-back vibe. If you want to live in a place that is close to bars, nightclubs, and other hotspots, Plant City might not be the best option. However, if you want to live in a more sedate area and drive into the city when you want to blow off some steam, then Plant City is a great choice.

Heavy Traffic

Plant City still has a relatively small population of around 40,000 people. This makes driving in and around the town pretty easy. But if you plan to commute to Tampa, you will have to account for traffic and congestion. I-4 runs right through the northern part of Plant City, making it easy to hop onto the highway to get to town. Depending on the time that you leave, however, it could take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to get into Tampa.

Hurricane Risk

Because it is in West Central Florida, there is always a risk of hurricanes and tropical storms in Plant City. Although it is further inland than Tampa, there is still a likelihood of strong winds and flooding from these storms. In fact, in 2024, Hurricane Milton caused significant flooding and property damage in Plant City. These risks are common throughout Hillsborough County, but should be considered if you want to move to the region.

Should You Move to Plant City?

Plant City has a lot to offer. It is close to the city, yet far enough away that it isn’t hard to get to green spaces. It is also significantly more affordable than many other suburbs, offering a slower pace of life and a relaxed atmosphere.

Eaton Realty strives to help our clients find the right home in the right community for them. We work with our clients to truly understand what they want and need in a home and then offer our suggestions based on our decades of experience in the industry and region. We also represent sellers who are looking to list their Plant City homes, and can help you both sell your home and find a new place to live.

If you want to buy, sell, or rent a house in Plant City, our real estate agents can help. We can also assist you with property management services if you own or want to buy an investment property in Plant City. Learn more by filling out our online contact form or calling us at 813-672-8022 to talk to a member of our real estate team.