Fort Lauderdale wins overall by ~2% (COL index)
Cost of living: Fort Lauderdale vs Miami (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Fort Lauderdale buys roughly what $61,500 does in Miami (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
−$1,027/yr
Favoring Miami for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $86/mo in Miami, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
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 | Miami Florida | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $2,100 | $2,000Better | Miami wins −$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Miami |
| 1BR rent/mo | $2,600 | $2,500Better | Miami wins −$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Miami |
| 2BR rent/mo | $3,500Better | $3,500 | — | — |
| Median home price | $520KWins | $620K | Fort wins +$100K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 107 | 105Better | Miami wins -2 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $17 | $16Better | Miami wins −$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $68 | $65Better | Miami wins −$3/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $112Better | $112 | — | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.55 | $3.50Better | Miami wins −$0.05 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $220 | $215Better | Miami wins −$5/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $195 | $185Better | Miami wins −$10/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $70Better | $70 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $62KBetter | $58K | Fort wins −$4K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 0.0%Better | 0.0% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.0%Better | 7.0% | — | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $16.00Better | $16.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $48 | $45Better | Miami wins −$3/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $7.50 | $7.00Better | Miami wins −$0.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 120Better | 123 | Fort wins +3 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 60 | 78Wins | Miami 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
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
Ready to move?
Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
Open full interactive toolComplete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fort Lauderdale cheaper than Miami?
Yes. Fort Lauderdale is 2% cheaper than Miami based on overall cost of living indices (120 vs 123, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Fort Lauderdale vs Miami?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Fort Lauderdale is $2,600/month and in Miami is $2,500/month. Fort Lauderdale is more expensive by 4%.
How much do I need to earn in Miami to match a $75,000 salary in Fort Lauderdale?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $76,875/year in Miami 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 Miami?
Miami has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 0%. Miami 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 Miami?
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
More move scenarios
Planning a move?
Salary equivalent: Fort Lauderdale ↔ Miami
How much would you need to earn in Miami to match your Fort Lauderdale purchasing power?