Cost of Living: Arlington, VA vs Fort Lauderdale, FL (2026)

Arlington

Virginia
203
VS

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132

Arlington is 54% more expensive than Fort Lauderdale.

$2,275/mo ↑ 28%
Median Rent
$1,776/mo ↓ 22%
$140,160/yr ↑ 75%
Median Income
$79,935/yr ↓ 43%
$864,800 ↑ 90%
Home Value
$455,600 ↓ 47%
$2,414/mo ↑ 36%
Owner Costs
$1,778/mo ↓ 26%
235,463
Population
183,032

Tax Comparison

5.75%
Income Tax
0%
5.3%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.8%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

19.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, VA and Fort Lauderdale, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 203 and 132 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $499/month cheaper in Fort Lauderdale, saving renters about $5,988/year.

Median household income is $60,225/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $864,800 compared to $455,600 in Fort Lauderdale.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Fort Lauderdale residents a significant tax advantage over Virginia's 5.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Fort Lauderdale — common questions

Is Arlington or Fort Lauderdale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fort Lauderdale is cheaper to live in with an index of 132 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Fort Lauderdale?
Median rent in Arlington is $2,275/month and in Fort Lauderdale it's $1,776/month — a difference of $499/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income is $140,160 in Arlington and $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale. Median household income is $60,225/year higher in Arlington.
How do taxes compare between Virginia and Florida?
Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Arlington or Fort Lauderdale?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 203 with median rent of $2,275/mo, while Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with rent of $1,776/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Fort Lauderdale details →

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