Median rent is 10% lower in Tacoma ($1,676/mo vs $1,854/mo). Buying is cheaper in Tacoma, where the median home runs $479,600 versus $486,700. Households earn more in Tacoma ($85,884 vs $83,130 a year). Taken together, Fort Lauderdale is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 112.1 against 112.7 — about 1% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Tacoma, WA.
Quick verdict
Fort Lauderdale is 1% cheaper overall
Cost index: 112.1 in Fort Lauderdale vs 112.7 in Tacoma (US average = 100)
City A
Fort Lauderdale, FL
City B
Tacoma, WA
How much would you need to earn in Tacoma, WA to maintain your standard of living from Fort Lauderdale, FL?
Equivalent salary in Tacoma, WA
$75,430
You'd need $430 more (1% higher).
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
Tacoma
Washington
👥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 Tacoma at $1,676/mo compared to $1,854/mo in Fort Lauderdale (10% gap). Median home values are within 1% of each other: $486,700 in Fort Lauderdale and $479,600 in Tacoma.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Fort Lauderdale
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Tacoma
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air on average: 30.0 AQI (Good) compared to 54.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Fort Lauderdale if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 30.0).
Is Fort Lauderdale cheaper than Tacoma?
Fort Lauderdale is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 112.1 versus 112.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in Fort Lauderdale.
How much is rent in Fort Lauderdale vs Tacoma?
Median rent is $1,854/mo in Fort Lauderdale, FL and $1,676/mo in Tacoma, WA. Tacoma, WA has the lower rent by about 10%.
Which has higher salaries — Fort Lauderdale or Tacoma?
Median household income is $83,130 in Fort Lauderdale, FL and $85,884 in Tacoma, WA. Tacoma, WA 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?
Fort Lauderdale, FL has better air quality on average: 30.0 AQI versus 54.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Fort Lauderdale or Tacoma?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Tacoma 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 $100,574 in Tacoma, WA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
