3 Tampa Bay area cities among the best for first-time homebuyers, report says

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Three cities in the greater Tampa Bay area were named among the best places for first-time homebuyers, according to a report from WalletHub.

WalletHub said it created the list by comparing 300 cities of varying sizes across 22 key indicators of market attractiveness, affordability and quality of life. The data set ranges from the cost of living to real-estate taxes to the crime rate.

“Buying a home for the first time is a very stressful and difficult process, especially when housing prices are through the roof and interest rates have risen sharply in the past few years. The best cities for first-time home buyers not only are affordable both in terms of buying a house and living there afterward, but they also have a lot of housing choices as well as low crime rates and good schools,” said WalletHub analyst Cassandra Happe.

Tampa, Lakeland and Clearwater ranked in the top 20 in WalletHub’s list of the best places for first-time homebuyers.

Tampa came in at No. 4 overall. It was also ranked as the best large city for first-time homebuyers.

WalletHub ranked Lakeland at No. 7. Clearwater came in at No. 16.

See the full list of the best cities for first-time homebuyers below.

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