Key West, FL vs Tamarac, FL

The cost of living difference between Key West, FL and Tamarac, FL is dramatic. Tamarac is 44.4% cheaper than Key West, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Key West has a cost index of 166 while Tamarac sits at 115, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Key West is $2,075/month compared to $1,791/month in Tamarac — a 16% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Tamarac is more affordable at $259,100 median vs $816,300.

Median household income in Key West is $78,532 compared to $59,216 in Tamarac (+32.6%). The higher salaries in Key West partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Key West spend roughly 31.7% of their income on rent, less than the 36.3% in Tamarac. The Key West ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (78.9°F vs 76.8°F). Tamarac receives more rainfall at 56.5" per year compared to 40.4" in Key West.