Median rent is 35% lower in Fort Lauderdale ($1,776/mo vs $2,742/mo). Buying is cheaper in Fort Lauderdale, where the median home runs $455,600 versus $1,040,500. Households earn more in Cambridge ($126,469 vs $79,935 a year). Taken together, Fort Lauderdale is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 111.9 against 112.2 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Cambridge, MA.
City A
Cambridge, MA
City B
Fort Lauderdale, FL
How much would you need to earn in Fort Lauderdale, FL to maintain your standard of living from Cambridge, MA?
Equivalent salary in Fort Lauderdale, FL
$74,824
You could earn $176 less (0% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Cambridge
Massachusetts
Fort Lauderdale
Florida
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Fort Lauderdale — median rent of $1,776/mo versus $2,742/mo in Cambridge, a 35% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Cambridge: the median home is $1,040,500 versus $455,600 in Fort Lauderdale — 56% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Florida has no state income tax, while Massachusetts tops out at 9.00% — giving Fort Lauderdale a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Massachusetts and 6.00% in Florida; Fort Lauderdale has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Cambridge
Income tax: 9.00%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Fort Lauderdale
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.00%
Air quality data is available for Fort Lauderdale (avg AQI 33.0) but not yet for Cambridge.
Pick Cambridge if you prioritize higher median household income ($126,469/yr).
Pick Fort Lauderdale if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,776/mo median).
Pick Fort Lauderdale if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Cambridge cheaper than Fort Lauderdale?
Fort Lauderdale is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 111.9 versus 112.2 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Fort Lauderdale.
How much is rent in Cambridge vs Fort Lauderdale?
Median rent is $2,742/mo in Cambridge, MA and $1,776/mo in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Fort Lauderdale, FL has the lower rent by about 35%.
Which has higher salaries — Cambridge or Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income is $126,469 in Cambridge, MA and $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Cambridge, MA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Cambridge or Fort Lauderdale?
Florida has no state income tax. Massachusetts has a top rate of 9.00%.
What salary do I need in Fort Lauderdale to match my Cambridge income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Cambridge, MA is equivalent to roughly $99,765 in Fort Lauderdale, FL (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology