Fort Lauderdale, FL vs Wellington, FL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Fort Lauderdale is 18% cheaper than Wellington. With a cost index of 130 vs 159, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Fort Lauderdale to Wellington should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Fort Lauderdale is $1,776/month compared to $2,445/month in Wellington — a 27% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fort Lauderdale is more affordable at $455,600 median vs $557,100.

Median household income in Fort Lauderdale is $79,935 compared to $110,294 in Wellington (-27.5%). While Wellington is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Fort Lauderdale spend roughly 26.7% of their income on rent, more than the 26.6% in Wellington.