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

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132
VS

Abilene

Texas
71

Fort Lauderdale is 86% more expensive than Abilene.

$1,776/mo ↑ 61%
Median Rent
$1,106/mo ↓ 38%
$79,935/yr ↑ 27%
Median Income
$62,720/yr ↓ 22%
$455,600 ↑ 155%
Home Value
$178,900 ↓ 61%
$1,778/mo ↑ 60%
Owner Costs
$1,114/mo ↓ 37%
183,032
Population
127,130

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

26.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Lauderdale, FL and Abilene, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 71 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $670/month cheaper in Abilene, saving renters about $8,040/year.

Median household income is $17,215/year higher in Fort Lauderdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Lauderdale is $455,600 compared to $178,900 in Abilene.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Lauderdale vs Abilene — common questions

Is Fort Lauderdale or Abilene cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Abilene is cheaper to live in with an index of 71 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Lauderdale and Abilene?
Median rent in Fort Lauderdale is $1,776/month and in Abilene it's $1,106/month — a difference of $670/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Lauderdale or Abilene?
Median household income is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale and $62,720 in Abilene. Median household income is $17,215/year higher in Fort Lauderdale.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Texas?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Fort Lauderdale or Abilene?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,776/mo, while Abilene has a cost index of 71 with rent of $1,106/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fort Lauderdale details → View Abilene details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Fort Lauderdale and Abilene

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