Can I Afford to Live in Fort Lauderdale vs Augusta on $40K?

Here's how a $40K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Fort Lauderdale, FL
$2,728/mo take-home
Rent: $2,600/mo (95% of take-home)
Difficult
Augusta, GA
$2,545/mo take-home
Rent: $1,200/mo (47% of take-home)
Difficult

Monthly budget breakdown

Expense
Fort Lauderdale
FL
Augusta
GA
Monthly take-home (est.)$2,728$2,545
1BR rent$2,600$1,200
Groceries (est.)$407$353
Transport (est.)$112$42
Utilities$195$162
Internet$70$58
Left after essentials-$656/month$730/month
Fort Lauderdale (Florida) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Augusta (GA rate: 5.5%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $40K a good salary in Fort Lauderdale?

At $40K/year in Fort Lauderdale, your estimated monthly take-home is $2,728. With 1BR rent around $2,600/month, rent takes up 95% of your take-home. That's considered difficult.

Is $40K a good salary in Augusta?

At $40K/year in Augusta, your estimated monthly take-home is $2,545. With 1BR rent around $1,200/month, rent takes up 47% of your take-home. That's considered difficult.

Which city is more affordable on a $40K salary?

Augusta leaves you with more money after core expenses — $730/month vs $-656/month in Fort Lauderdale.

Can I afford to live alone in Fort Lauderdale on $40K?

It's tight. Rent in Fort Lauderdale would take 95% of your $40K take-home pay. You may need to find roommates or look at studios to stay within the 30% rule.

Compare other salary bands — Fort Lauderdale vs Augusta

$50K$60K$75K$80K$100K$120K$150K

See the full cost-of-living comparison

Rent, groceries, taxes, transportation, and more — side by side.

Full comparison

Take-home estimates use simplified federal/state brackets and do not account for pre-tax deductions, 401(k), or local taxes. Data: Zillow, BLS, Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only