Cost of Living: Fort Lauderdale, FL vs Billings, MT (2026)

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132
VS

Billings

Montana
86

Fort Lauderdale is 53% more expensive than Billings.

$1,776/mo ↑ 62%
Median Rent
$1,097/mo ↓ 38%
$79,935/yr ↑ 11%
Median Income
$71,855/yr ↓ 10%
$455,600 ↑ 46%
Home Value
$311,800 ↓ 32%
$1,778/mo ↑ 51%
Owner Costs
$1,177/mo ↓ 34%
183,032
Population
118,321

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
6.75%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
0%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.74%

Affordability

26.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
18.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Lauderdale, FL and Billings, MT, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 86 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $679/month cheaper in Billings, saving renters about $8,148/year.

Median household income is $8,080/year higher in Fort Lauderdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Lauderdale is $455,600 compared to $311,800 in Billings.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Fort Lauderdale residents a significant tax advantage over Montana's 6.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Lauderdale vs Billings — common questions

Is Fort Lauderdale or Billings cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Billings is cheaper to live in with an index of 86 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Lauderdale and Billings?
Median rent in Fort Lauderdale is $1,776/month and in Billings it's $1,097/month — a difference of $679/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Lauderdale or Billings?
Median household income is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale and $71,855 in Billings. Median household income is $8,080/year higher in Fort Lauderdale.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Montana?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Montana has 6.75% income tax, 0% sales tax, and 0.74% property tax.
Should I move to Fort Lauderdale or Billings?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,776/mo, while Billings has a cost index of 86 with rent of $1,097/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fort Lauderdale details → View Billings details →

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