Can I Afford to Live in Fort Lauderdale vs Detroit on $80K?

Here's how a $80K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Fort Lauderdale, FL
$5,057/mo take-home
Rent: $2,600/mo (51% of take-home)
Difficult
Detroit, MI
$4,783/mo take-home
Rent: $1,200/mo (25% of take-home)
Comfortable

Monthly budget breakdown

Expense
Fort Lauderdale
FL
Detroit
MI
Monthly take-home (est.)$5,057$4,783
1BR rent$2,600$1,200
Groceries (est.)$407$369
Transport (est.)$112$65
Utilities$195$175
Internet$70$60
Left after essentials$1,673/month$2,914/month
Fort Lauderdale (Florida) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Detroit (MI rate: 4.1%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $80K a good salary in Fort Lauderdale?

At $80K/year in Fort Lauderdale, your estimated monthly take-home is $5,057. With 1BR rent around $2,600/month, rent takes up 51% of your take-home. That's considered difficult.

Is $80K a good salary in Detroit?

At $80K/year in Detroit, your estimated monthly take-home is $4,783. With 1BR rent around $1,200/month, rent takes up 25% of your take-home. That's considered comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $80K salary?

Detroit leaves you with more money after core expenses — $2,914/month vs $1,673/month in Fort Lauderdale.

Can I afford to live alone in Fort Lauderdale on $80K?

It's tight. Rent in Fort Lauderdale would take 51% of your $80K 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 Detroit

$40K$50K$60K$75K$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