Can I Afford to Live in Fort Lauderdale vs Durham 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
Durham, NC
$4,757/mo take-home
Rent: $1,750/mo (37% of take-home)
Tight

Monthly budget breakdown

Expense
Fort Lauderdale
FL
Durham
NC
Monthly take-home (est.)$5,057$4,757
1BR rent$2,600$1,750
Groceries (est.)$407$372
Transport (est.)$112$82
Utilities$195$155
Internet$70$62
Left after essentials$1,673/month$2,336/month
Fort Lauderdale (Florida) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Durham (NC rate: 4.5%).

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 Durham?

At $80K/year in Durham, your estimated monthly take-home is $4,757. With 1BR rent around $1,750/month, rent takes up 37% of your take-home. That's considered tight.

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

Durham leaves you with more money after core expenses — $2,336/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 Durham

$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