Cost of Living: Fort Lauderdale, FL vs College Station, TX (2026)

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132
VS

College Station

Texas
91

Fort Lauderdale is 45% more expensive than College Station.

$1,776/mo ↑ 52%
Median Rent
$1,168/mo ↓ 34%
$79,935/yr ↑ 54%
Median Income
$51,776/yr ↓ 35%
$455,600 ↑ 40%
Home Value
$326,500 ↓ 28%
$1,778/mo ↑ 42%
Owner Costs
$1,251/mo ↓ 30%
183,032
Population
122,280

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.86%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

26.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Lauderdale, FL and College Station, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $608/month cheaper in College Station, saving renters about $7,296/year.

Median household income is $28,159/year higher in Fort Lauderdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Lauderdale is $455,600 compared to $326,500 in College Station.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Lauderdale vs College Station — common questions

Is Fort Lauderdale or College Station cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, College Station is cheaper to live in with an index of 91 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Lauderdale and College Station?
Median rent in Fort Lauderdale is $1,776/month and in College Station it's $1,168/month — a difference of $608/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Lauderdale or College Station?
Median household income is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale and $51,776 in College Station. Median household income is $28,159/year higher in Fort Lauderdale.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Texas?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Fort Lauderdale or College Station?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,776/mo, while College Station has a cost index of 91 with rent of $1,168/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fort Lauderdale details → View College Station details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Fort Lauderdale and College Station

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