| Index | Fort Lauderdale | Florida | National |
| Cost of living | 127 | 102 | 100 |
| Groceries | 100 | 102 | 100 |
| Health care | 104 | 104 | 100 |
| Housing | 179 | 97 | 100 |
| Transportation | 107 | 103 | 100 |
| Utilities | 109 | 110 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 112 | 104 | 100 |
| Household Items | 102 | 102 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 105 | 106 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Fort Lauderdale? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Fort Lauderdale stands at 127, making it 27% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Fort Lauderdale may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Fort Lauderdale falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.
Housing costs are a major factor in the Fort Lauderdale cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 78.8% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.
Is Fort Lauderdale an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Fort Lauderdale, the median home price is 95.1% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 40.7% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Fort Lauderdale come in at $94,977, which is 16.8% higher than the national average.
Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.
Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In Fort Lauderdale, the utilities index is 8.6% higher than the national average.
Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in Fort Lauderdale, is 78.8% higher than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Fort Lauderdale are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
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| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $127,174 | $10,598 | $2,967 | $3,816 |
| Renters | $71,578 | $5,965 | $1,670 | $2,148 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Florida | 6% | 7.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Florida | 0% | 0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Pembroke Park, FL | 6,970 | 89 | 11.0% |
| Lauderdale Lakes, FL | 37,351 | 98 | 1.6% |
| Franklin Park, FL | 1,602 | 99 | 1.2% |
| Roosevelt Gardens, FL | 2,139 | 100 | 0.4% |
| Lauderhill, FL | 73,782 | 106 | 5.5% |
| Fort Lauderdale, FL | 187,807 | 127 | 27.1% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Chattanooga, TN | 187,734 | 97 | 3.5% |
| Vancouver, WA | 188,837 | 127 | 26.9% |
| Worcester, MA | 189,035 | 120 | 20.3% |
| Brownsville, TX | 189,413 | 88 | 12.0% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | 185,812 | 99 | 1.0% |
| Fort Lauderdale, FL | 187,807 | 127 | 27.1% |
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