Cost of Living in Fort Lauderdale, FL

With a cost of living index of 130, Fort Lauderdale, FL is a notably expensive place to live. Living here is 30% more expensive than the national average and 20% above the Florida state average of 110. As a major city with a population of 183,032, Fort Lauderdale offers a wide range of housing options, employment opportunities, and urban amenities.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Fort Lauderdale's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,776 (35% above the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $455,600 (49% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 5.7x the median household income — a stretch for many buyers, though not uncommon in today's market.

The median household income in Fort Lauderdale is $79,935, which is 6% higher than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 27% of household income on rent. This is near the 30% threshold that financial experts generally consider the upper limit of affordability.

Everyday prices in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL (Metropolitan Statistical Area) metro area tend to run above the national average. Out of 6 common grocery and utility items tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 5 are priced higher than the US average. These real-world prices — from groceries to electricity — add up and should be factored into any cost of living comparison.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.