Livability Score

81
/100
i The AreaVibes Livability Score evaluates 9 different categories and creates an overall score out of 100. The higher the score, the better the area.

amenities A+

There are lots of amenities close to this location.
Coffee (26) A+
Entertainment (38) A+
Food and Drink (94) A-
Fitness (6) F
Groceries (25) F
Parks (114) A+
Shops (58) D-
See more Fort Lauderdale amenity data

commute C+

Of all people who commute, 3.4% take public transportation in Fort Lauderdale.
Public Transit Stops (84)
Stops & Stations
D-
Workers Taking Public Transit
3.4%
F
See more Fort Lauderdale commute data

cost of living D

The cost of living in Fort Lauderdale is 125/100 - which is 28% higher than Florida.
Cost of Living
Goods & Services, Housing, etc.
F
Tax Rates
Income & Sales Tax
A+
See more Fort Lauderdale cost of living data

crime A

Fort Lauderdale crime rates are 1,208 per 100k, which is 34% lower than Florida
Property Crime
1,036 crimes per 100k
A-
Violent Crime
171 crimes per 100k
A
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employment B

The median income in Fort Lauderdale is $64,313 - which is 32% higher than Florida.
Med. Household Income
$64,313
C
Unemployment Rate
4.0%
D+
See more Fort Lauderdale employment data

health A+

There are many hospitals, police and fire stations.
Health & Safety (40)
Dentist, Doctor, Hospital, etc.
A+
Air Quality
Median Air Quality
B+
See more Fort Lauderdale health & safety data

housing A-

Fort Lauderdale home prices are $350,900 - which is 110% higher than Florida
Home Price
$350,900
A+
Home Appreciation Rate
22%
A+
Home Affordability
5.5x (home price to income ratio)
F
See more Fort Lauderdale housing data

schools B-

The Fort Lauderdale graduation rate is 83% - which is equal to Florida
School Test Scores
48%
F
High School Grad. Rates
83%
C-
Elementary Schools (80) A+
High Schools (30) A+
See more Fort Lauderdale education data

ratings B+

Fort Lauderdale has an overall rating of 76% from 17 reviews.
User Reviews (4)
From AreaVibes
A-
User Surveys (13)
From AreaVibes
B
See more Fort Lauderdale user rating data
Amenities Commute Cost of Living Crime Employment Health & Safety Housing Schools User Ratings
Photo of Fort Lauderdale, FL
( 17 Ratings )

Living in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Fort Lauderdale Area Facts

  • Fort Lauderdale has a Livability Score of 81/100, which is considered exceptional
  • Fort Lauderdale crime rates are 34% lower than the Florida average
  • Cost of living in Fort Lauderdale is 28% higher than the Florida average
New Real Estate Listings in Fort Lauderdale Area
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Fort Lauderdale Reviews

Write a review about Fort Lauderdale Tell people what you like or don't like about Fort Lauderdale…
Dysfunctional city worst city I have lived in 1 rating By Anonymous ( Jan 07, 2021) The city government and management is dysfunctional. No one can help answer questions but they complain about everything. Water is yellow and smells like mushrooms, we pay extremely high water bills compared to other cities but they think this is ok with no plan to fix it. S ...Read More ewers are breaking in the streets and takes forever to fix it. I find most of the people to be nice but for the most part people are rude and disrespectful. Shopping sucks you have to drive to any other city for good malls. Restaurants are ok, a few good choices but you have to go to Miami for great restaurants unless you like over priced hotel food. Read Less
I Love Working & Living in Fort Lauderdale, Florida 5 rating By Anonymous ( Dec 28, 2017) Fort Lauderdale, Florida is a wonderful place to live and build a business. I first moved to Ft. Lauderdale in 1980 and seen the community go through many changes. Back in the 1980's I enjoyed spring break, cheap beer and hotel rooms. Today you'll find 5 star hotels and dining. ...Read More Read Less
Ft. Lauderdale - Overlooked and Underrated 4.5 rating By AV Jon ( Jan 12, 2011) I've been to Ft. Lauderdale a half dozen times over the last couple years. Mostly because I find Ft. Lauderdale is always cheaper to fly into than Miami. Miami Beach is only about a 30-40 minute drive from Ft. Lauderdale, directly south. Ft. Lauderdale might not have quite the ap ...Read More peal that Miami Beach does, but it still has great beaches, restaurants, shopping and you won't get hit with the high prices like you do in Miami Beach.

If you're looking for a great place to grab a bite and a couple drinks, try the Downtowner Saloon (10 South New River Dr East). They constantly have cheap drink deals or half price appetizers. The place is always busy with a great atmosphere.

The beaches in Ft. Lauderdale might not be quite as good as Miami, but they're still great and not nearly as busy. It also helps that you can land a hotel in Lauderdale for a fraction of the cost of one in Miami. Overall, Ft. Lauderdale is a good chance of pace if you're looking for a more affordable, quieter place to hang you hat. Read Less
Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Paradise On Earth 5 rating By Anonymous ( May 06, 2010) Having lived in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida most of my life and recently moving away from there I truly miss it. I often refer to it as my paradise on earth.

With the warm sunny days and the ocean breeze it was like living on an exotic island. There is always something to do there
...Read More whether it's a drive to the beautiful beach or shopping at the huge Sawgrass mills mall where busloads of people come for great deals. Downtown Ft. Lauderdale offers many attractions for the entire family include the IMAX theater and the Museum of Discovery And Science where kids get to interact with exhibits. The Ft. Lauderdale Museum of Art is also located downtown. Riverwalk is a good place to visit with many different restaurants and you can even take a boat ride and tour the beautiful mansions along the New River intercoastal waterway. Ft. Lauderdale comes to life at night with many clubs, bars and restaurants, many with live entertainment.

I truly love Ft. Lauderdale and always will. Sometimes especially in the winter months when the snowbirds arrive, the traffic can be hectic but other than that it's a great place to visit and an amazing place to live. Read Less
Show All Reviews
Ft. Lauderdale - Overlooked and Underrated 4.5 rating By AV Jon ( Jan 12, 2011) I've been to Ft. Lauderdale a half dozen times over the last couple years. Mostly because I find Ft. Lauderdale is always cheaper to fly into than Miami. Miami Beach is only about a 30-40 minute drive from Ft. Lauderdale, directly south. Ft. Lauderdale might not have quite the ap ...Read More peal that Miami Beach does, but it still has great beaches, restaurants, shopping and you won't get hit with the high prices like you do in Miami Beach.

If you're looking for a great place to grab a bite and a couple drinks, try the Downtowner Saloon (10 South New River Dr East). They constantly have cheap drink deals or half price appetizers. The place is always busy with a great atmosphere.

The beaches in Ft. Lauderdale might not be quite as good as Miami, but they're still great and not nearly as busy. It also helps that you can land a hotel in Lauderdale for a fraction of the cost of one in Miami. Overall, Ft. Lauderdale is a good chance of pace if you're looking for a more affordable, quieter place to hang you hat. Read Less
Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Paradise On Earth 5 rating By Anonymous ( May 06, 2010) Having lived in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida most of my life and recently moving away from there I truly miss it. I often refer to it as my paradise on earth.

With the warm sunny days and the ocean breeze it was like living on an exotic island. There is always something to do there
...Read More whether it's a drive to the beautiful beach or shopping at the huge Sawgrass mills mall where busloads of people come for great deals. Downtown Ft. Lauderdale offers many attractions for the entire family include the IMAX theater and the Museum of Discovery And Science where kids get to interact with exhibits. The Ft. Lauderdale Museum of Art is also located downtown. Riverwalk is a good place to visit with many different restaurants and you can even take a boat ride and tour the beautiful mansions along the New River intercoastal waterway. Ft. Lauderdale comes to life at night with many clubs, bars and restaurants, many with live entertainment.

I truly love Ft. Lauderdale and always will. Sometimes especially in the winter months when the snowbirds arrive, the traffic can be hectic but other than that it's a great place to visit and an amazing place to live. Read Less

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Compare Fort Lauderdale, FL Livability

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      Fort Lauderdale, FL

      Fort Lauderdale is no doubt one the most iconic cities in the southern part of Florida. While it began as a military fort during the 1800s, it has grown into a classic Florida city that is known the world around as a symbol of the Sunshine State. Miami, West Palm, and Orlando have very little above what Fort Lauderdale offers, and in many ways it is still a quaint area with a down home feel and not as much hustle and bustle as Miami in particular. It is home to the famous Fort Lauderdale Beach and right up the road from Dania where many of the locals go to enjoy the ocean.

      Fort Lauderdale currently has a population of just under 200,000 residents and a minimal crime rate for a community of its size. This is especially true along "The Strip" that runs parallel to the beach downtown. There are businesses galore with many ethnic-based restaurants and attractions that feature authentic Cuban and Puerto Rico cuisine at its finest. One of the most interesting places in town is actually the International Swimming Hall of Fame and Museum that attracts visitors from all over the world. The whole of the community is actually immersed in water sports of all types due largely to ocean access and the constant barrage of sunshine and amazing weather.

      Living in Fort Lauderdale is actually surprisingly cost-effective, as rental rates are below the median for the south Florida region and grocery stores are abundant and close to many of the subdivision locales like those in and around Davie and Plantation. Night life is great there as well with nearly 150 restaurants and night clubs. And this is not to mention the private membership dinner clubs. Home prices are also highly consistent and the market is always in a "buyers" mode. And retail access is also abundant with the huge assembly of shopping malls and business centers sprawled across Broward County.

      Another advantage of Fort Lauderdale is the fact that it is a hub of international travel. The airport is centrally located for easy access to all regions of the city, and there is indeed an international feel to the whole of the community. This adds significantly to the diversity advantages for all local residents and sets a solid back drop for the outstanding education facilities featured throughout both Fort Lauderdale and the Broward-Dade County duopoly. In many ways, the two counties are seamless regarding where one stops and the other begins until reaching the outskirts of the Miami metropolitan area.

      If you are planning on moving anywhere in Florida, Fort Lauderdale should be on the short list because there are many advantages in being a Fort Lauderdale resident.

      A+ Amenities

      Are there many local amenities in Fort Lauderdale? Yes, there are lots of amenities close to this location.

      Parks

      Warfield Park
      Middle River Terrace Park
      South Middle RIver Park
      Richardson Historic Park and Preserve
      Sistrunk Park
      Peter Feldman Park
      Rachel Richardson Park
      Hagen Park

      Entertainment

      MAC Art Galleries
      The Art Bloc
      Ernesto Maranje Art & Design
      Madeline Denaro Studio and Gallery
      Parker Playhouse
      War Memorial Auditorium
      ArtServe Gallery
      Hunters Club

      Food & Drink

      Subway
      McDonald's
      Checkers
      American Icon
      27 Bar & Lounge
      Chick'n Cone
      Batch, The Cookie Company
      Glitch Bar

      A+ Commute

      Is public transit available in Fort Lauderdale? Of all people who commute, 3.4% take public transportation in Fort Lauderdale.
      Drive to Work
      75%

      1% lower than the US average

      Take Public Transit
      3%

      2% lower than the US average

      Walk to Work
      2%

      1% lower than the US average

      A+ Health & Safety

      Is Fort Lauderdale a healthy and safe place to live? Yes, there are many hospitals, police and fire stations.

      Hospitals

      Holy Cross Hospital
      Broward Health Imperial Point
      Broward Health Medical Center
      Kindred Hospital - Fort Lauderdale

      Pharmacies

      CVS Pharmacy
      CVS Pharmacy
      CVS Pharmacy
      Walgreens
      Publix
      Walgreens
      Walgreens
      Walgreens

      Doctors