Median rent is 7% lower in Miami ($1,657/mo vs $1,776/mo). Buying is cheaper in Fort Lauderdale, where the median home runs $455,600 versus $475,200. Households earn more in Fort Lauderdale ($79,935 vs $59,390 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (111.9).
City A
Fort Lauderdale, FL
City B
Miami, FL
How much would you need to earn in Miami, FL to maintain your standard of living from Fort Lauderdale, FL?
Equivalent salary in Miami, FL
$75,000
Costs are about the same in both cities.
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
Fort Lauderdale
Florida
Miami
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
Median rent is modestly lower in Miami at $1,657/mo compared to $1,776/mo in Fort Lauderdale (7% gap). Median home values are within 4% of each other: $455,600 in Fort Lauderdale and $475,200 in Miami.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Both Florida and Florida have no state income tax — a notable advantage for workers in both cities. Sales tax is 6.00% in Florida and 6.00% in Florida; Miami has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Fort Lauderdale
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.00%
Miami
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.00%
Miami has cleaner air on average: 27.0 AQI (Good) compared to 33.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Fort Lauderdale if you prioritize higher median household income ($79,935/yr).
Pick Miami if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 27.0).
Is Fort Lauderdale cheaper than Miami?
Fort Lauderdale is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 111.9 versus 111.9 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Fort Lauderdale.
How much is rent in Fort Lauderdale vs Miami?
Median rent is $1,776/mo in Fort Lauderdale, FL and $1,657/mo in Miami, FL. Miami, FL has the lower rent by about 7%.
Which has higher salaries — Fort Lauderdale or Miami?
Median household income is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale, FL and $59,390 in Miami, FL. Fort Lauderdale, FL 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?
Miami, FL has better air quality on average: 27.0 AQI versus 33.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Fort Lauderdale or Miami?
Both Florida and Florida have no state income tax.
What salary do I need in Miami to match my Fort Lauderdale income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Fort Lauderdale, FL is equivalent to roughly $100,000 in Miami, 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