Not sure what the argument about Austin vs Tampa is.. media markets? If you're talking about quality of living there is no contest. I think you'd be very hard pressed to find anyone preferring to live in Tampa. That is unless you're:
A. From New York and prefer to be around other New Yorkers
B. Are super wealthy and own a boat
OR
C. Only listen to rap music.
I've lived in both Tampa (6 years) and Austin (3 years). So just my opinion, but Austin has it's own culture, as opposed to a melting pot that doesn't melt.