Surfside, FL vs Taft, FL

The cost of living difference between Surfside, FL and Taft, FL is dramatic. Taft is 85.6% cheaper than Surfside, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Surfside has a cost index of 154 while Taft sits at 83, 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 Surfside is $1,795/month compared to $1,116/month in Taft — a 61% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Taft is more affordable at $165,900 median vs $736,800.

Median household income in Surfside is $88,938 compared to $40,161 in Taft (+121.5%). While Surfside is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Surfside spend roughly 24.2% of their income on rent, less than the 33.3% in Taft. The Surfside ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, Surfside is notably warmer with an average of 76.1°F compared to 73°F in Taft. Surfside receives more rainfall at 57.2" per year compared to 51.4" in Taft.