Cost of Living: Fort Lauderdale, FL vs Cary, NC (2026)

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132
VS

Cary

North Carolina
135

Fort Lauderdale is 2% cheaper than Cary.

$1,776/mo ↑ 10%
Median Rent
$1,621/mo ↓ 9%
$79,935/yr ↓ 38%
Median Income
$129,399/yr ↑ 62%
$455,600 ↓ 13%
Home Value
$525,200 ↑ 15%
$1,778/mo ↑ 2%
Owner Costs
$1,744/mo ↓ 2%
183,032
Population
176,686

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.5%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

26.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
15.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Lauderdale, FL and Cary, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 135 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $155/month cheaper in Cary, saving renters about $1,860/year.

Median household income is $49,464/year higher in Cary. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Lauderdale is $455,600 compared to $525,200 in Cary.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Fort Lauderdale residents a significant tax advantage over North Carolina's 4.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Lauderdale vs Cary — common questions

Is Fort Lauderdale or Cary cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fort Lauderdale is cheaper to live in with an index of 132 compared to 135 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Lauderdale and Cary?
Median rent in Fort Lauderdale is $1,776/month and in Cary it's $1,621/month — a difference of $155/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Lauderdale or Cary?
Median household income is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale and $129,399 in Cary. Median household income is $49,464/year higher in Cary.
How do taxes compare between Florida and North Carolina?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Fort Lauderdale or Cary?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,776/mo, while Cary has a cost index of 135 with rent of $1,621/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fort Lauderdale details → View Cary details →

More Comparisons

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