Cost of Living: Fort Lauderdale, FL vs Berkeley, CA (2026)

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132
VS

Berkeley

California
251

Fort Lauderdale is 47% cheaper than Berkeley.

$1,776/mo ↓ 17%
Median Rent
$2,127/mo ↑ 20%
$79,935/yr ↓ 26%
Median Income
$108,558/yr ↑ 36%
$455,600 ↓ 66%
Home Value
$1,351,100 ↑ 197%
$1,778/mo ↓ 24%
Owner Costs
$2,340/mo ↑ 32%
183,032
Population
120,223

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

26.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Lauderdale, FL and Berkeley, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 251 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $351/month cheaper in Fort Lauderdale, saving renters about $4,212/year.

Median household income is $28,623/year higher in Berkeley. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Lauderdale is $455,600 compared to $1,351,100 in Berkeley.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Fort Lauderdale residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Lauderdale vs Berkeley — common questions

Is Fort Lauderdale or Berkeley cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fort Lauderdale is cheaper to live in with an index of 132 compared to 251 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Lauderdale and Berkeley?
Median rent in Fort Lauderdale is $1,776/month and in Berkeley it's $2,127/month — a difference of $351/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Lauderdale or Berkeley?
Median household income is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale and $108,558 in Berkeley. Median household income is $28,623/year higher in Berkeley.
How do taxes compare between Florida and California?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Fort Lauderdale or Berkeley?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,776/mo, while Berkeley has a cost index of 251 with rent of $2,127/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fort Lauderdale details → View Berkeley details →

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