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

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132
VS

Alexandria

Virginia
173

Fort Lauderdale is 24% cheaper than Alexandria.

$1,776/mo ↓ 13%
Median Rent
$2,031/mo ↑ 14%
$79,935/yr ↓ 30%
Median Income
$113,638/yr ↑ 42%
$455,600 ↓ 35%
Home Value
$696,800 ↑ 53%
$1,778/mo ↓ 18%
Owner Costs
$2,173/mo ↑ 22%
183,032
Population
156,788

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

26.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Lauderdale, FL and Alexandria, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 173 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $255/month cheaper in Fort Lauderdale, saving renters about $3,060/year.

Median household income is $33,703/year higher in Alexandria. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Lauderdale is $455,600 compared to $696,800 in Alexandria.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Lauderdale vs Alexandria — common questions

Is Fort Lauderdale or Alexandria cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fort Lauderdale is cheaper to live in with an index of 132 compared to 173 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Lauderdale and Alexandria?
Median rent in Fort Lauderdale is $1,776/month and in Alexandria it's $2,031/month — a difference of $255/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Lauderdale or Alexandria?
Median household income is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale and $113,638 in Alexandria. Median household income is $33,703/year higher in Alexandria.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Virginia?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Fort Lauderdale or Alexandria?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,776/mo, while Alexandria has a cost index of 173 with rent of $2,031/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fort Lauderdale details → View Alexandria details →

More Comparisons

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