Two datasets were compiled for estimating and comparted the temperature sensitivity of phytoplankton growth rate within vs across communities. One dataset contains the data of short-term temperature modulated dilution experiments conducted at three subtropical coastal sites for one year. In each experiment, the phytoplankton community growth rates were estimated at five different temperatures via the dilution approach. Another dataset contains the phytoplankton community growth rates in (sub)tropical waters estimated by the dilution approach, collected from related literature.