Cost of Living: Austin, TX vs Fort Lauderdale, FL (2026)

Austin

Texas
134
VS

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132

Austin and Fort Lauderdale have a similar cost of living.

$1,655/mo ↓ 7%
Median Rent
$1,776/mo ↑ 7%
$91,461/yr ↑ 14%
Median Income
$79,935/yr ↓ 13%
$512,700 ↑ 13%
Home Value
$455,600 ↓ 11%
$1,747/mo ↓ 2%
Owner Costs
$1,778/mo ↑ 2%
967,862
Population
183,032

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

21.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and Fort Lauderdale, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 132 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $121/month cheaper in Austin, saving renters about $1,452/year.

Median household income is $11,526/year higher in Austin. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $455,600 in Fort Lauderdale.

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs Fort Lauderdale — common questions

Is Austin 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 134 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Fort Lauderdale?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in Fort Lauderdale it's $1,776/month — a difference of $121/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale. Median household income is $11,526/year higher in Austin.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Florida?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Austin or Fort Lauderdale?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/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 Austin details → View Fort Lauderdale details →

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