Fort Lauderdale wins overall by ~2% (COL index)
Cost of living: Fort Lauderdale vs Austin (2026)
A $67,000 salary in Fort Lauderdale buys roughly what $68,117 does in Austin (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
−$9,846/yr
Favoring Austin for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $821/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~19 months and still keep ~$98/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Fort Lauderdale Florida | Austin Texas | Who wins | Your impact at $67K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $2,100 | $1,500Wins | Austin wins −$600/mo | $7,200/yr saves in Austin |
| 1BR rent/mo | $2,600 | $1,800Wins | Austin wins −$800/mo | $9,600/yr saves in Austin |
| 2BR rent/mo | $3,500 | $2,400Wins | Austin wins −$1,100/mo | $13,200/yr saves in Austin |
| Median home price | $520K | $480KBetter | Austin wins −$40K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 107 | 98Better | Austin wins -9 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $17 | $14Wins | Austin wins −$3/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $68 | $60Better | Austin wins −$8/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $112 | $50Wins | Austin wins −$62/mo | $744/yr saves in Austin |
| Gas price/gal | $3.55 | $3.10Wins | Austin wins −$0.45 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $220 | $175Wins | Austin wins −$45/mo | $540/yr saves in Austin |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $195 | $170Wins | Austin wins −$25/mo | $300/yr saves in Austin |
| Internet/mo | $70 | $65Better | Austin wins −$5/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $62K | $72KWins | Austin wins +$10K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 0.0%Better | 0.0% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.0%Wins | 8.3% | Fort wins +1.3 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $16.00 | $15.00Better | Austin wins −$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $48 | $40Wins | Austin wins −$8/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $7.50 | $7.00Better | Austin wins −$0.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 120Better | 122 | Fort wins +2 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 60Wins | 42 | Fort wins -18 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Fort Lauderdale fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Fort Lauderdale.
High-yield savings
Park ~$9,600/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Fort Lauderdale cheaper than Austin?
Yes. Fort Lauderdale is 2% cheaper than Austin based on overall cost of living indices (120 vs 122, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Fort Lauderdale vs Austin?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Fort Lauderdale is $2,600/month and in Austin is $1,800/month. Fort Lauderdale is more expensive by 44%.
How much do I need to earn in Austin to match a $75,000 salary in Fort Lauderdale?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $76,250/year in Austin to match a $75,000 salary in Fort Lauderdale. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Fort Lauderdale or Austin?
Austin has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 0%. Austin has no state income tax at all, which can save thousands of dollars per year depending on your income. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Fort Lauderdale to Austin?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Lauderdale offers lower overall costs and tax advantages, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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