Fort Lauderdale, FL vs The Villages, FL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. The Villages is 18% cheaper than Fort Lauderdale. With a cost index of 111 vs 130, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from The Villages to Fort Lauderdale should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Fort Lauderdale is $1,776/month compared to $1,541/month in The Villages — a 15% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: The Villages is more affordable at $375,100 median vs $455,600.

Median household income in Fort Lauderdale is $79,935 compared to $76,523 in The Villages (+4.5%). Fort Lauderdale does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Fort Lauderdale spend roughly 26.7% of their income on rent, more than the 24.2% in The Villages.