Fort Lauderdale wins overall by ~3% (COL index)
Cost of living: Miami vs Fort Lauderdale (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Miami buys roughly what $58,537 does in Fort Lauderdale (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
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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 | Miami Florida | Fort Lauderdale Florida | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $2,000Better | $2,100 | Miami wins +$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Miami |
| 1BR rent/mo | $2,500Better | $2,600 | Miami wins +$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Miami |
| 2BR rent/mo | $3,500Better | $3,500 | — | — |
| Median home price | $620K | $520KWins | Fort wins −$100K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 105Better | 107 | Miami wins +2 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $16Better | $17 | Miami wins +$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $65Better | $68 | Miami wins +$3/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $112Better | $112 | — | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.50Better | $3.55 | Miami wins +$0.05 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $215Better | $220 | Miami wins +$5/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $185Better | $195 | Miami wins +$10/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $70Better | $70 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $58K | $62KBetter | 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 | $45Better | $48 | Miami wins +$3/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $7.00Better | $7.50 | Miami wins +$0.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 123 | 120Better | Fort wins -3 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 78Wins | 60 | Miami wins -18 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
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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.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Miami cheaper than Fort Lauderdale?
No. Fort Lauderdale is 3% cheaper than Miami based on overall cost of living indices (120 vs 123, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Miami vs Fort Lauderdale?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Miami is $2,500/month and in Fort Lauderdale is $2,600/month. Miami is cheaper by 4%.
How much do I need to earn in Fort Lauderdale to match a $75,000 salary in Miami?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $73,171/year in Fort Lauderdale to match a $75,000 salary in Miami. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Miami or Fort Lauderdale?
Fort Lauderdale has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 0%. Fort Lauderdale 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 Miami to Fort Lauderdale?
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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