Cost of Living: Fort Lauderdale, FL vs Chattanooga, TN (2026)

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132
VS

Chattanooga

Tennessee
81

Fort Lauderdale is 63% more expensive than Chattanooga.

$1,776/mo ↑ 54%
Median Rent
$1,155/mo ↓ 35%
$79,935/yr ↑ 31%
Median Income
$61,028/yr ↓ 24%
$455,600 ↑ 76%
Home Value
$259,200 ↓ 43%
$1,778/mo ↑ 60%
Owner Costs
$1,112/mo ↓ 37%
183,032
Population
182,832

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
7.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.64%

Affordability

26.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Lauderdale, FL and Chattanooga, TN, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 81 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $621/month cheaper in Chattanooga, saving renters about $7,452/year.

Median household income is $18,907/year higher in Fort Lauderdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Lauderdale is $455,600 compared to $259,200 in Chattanooga.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Lauderdale vs Chattanooga — common questions

Is Fort Lauderdale or Chattanooga cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Chattanooga is cheaper to live in with an index of 81 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Lauderdale and Chattanooga?
Median rent in Fort Lauderdale is $1,776/month and in Chattanooga it's $1,155/month — a difference of $621/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Lauderdale or Chattanooga?
Median household income is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale and $61,028 in Chattanooga. Median household income is $18,907/year higher in Fort Lauderdale.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Tennessee?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax.
Should I move to Fort Lauderdale or Chattanooga?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,776/mo, while Chattanooga has a cost index of 81 with rent of $1,155/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fort Lauderdale details → View Chattanooga details →

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