Cost of Living: Fort Lauderdale, FL vs Columbia, SC (2026)

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132
VS

Columbia

South Carolina
80

Fort Lauderdale is 65% more expensive than Columbia.

$1,776/mo ↑ 53%
Median Rent
$1,158/mo ↓ 35%
$79,935/yr ↑ 44%
Median Income
$55,653/yr ↓ 30%
$455,600 ↑ 87%
Home Value
$243,500 ↓ 47%
$1,778/mo ↑ 52%
Owner Costs
$1,169/mo ↓ 34%
183,032
Population
138,019

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
6.4%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.57%

Affordability

26.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Lauderdale, FL and Columbia, SC, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 80 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $618/month cheaper in Columbia, saving renters about $7,416/year.

Median household income is $24,282/year higher in Fort Lauderdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Lauderdale is $455,600 compared to $243,500 in Columbia.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Fort Lauderdale residents a significant tax advantage over South Carolina's 6.4% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Lauderdale vs Columbia — common questions

Is Fort Lauderdale or Columbia cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Columbia is cheaper to live in with an index of 80 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Lauderdale and Columbia?
Median rent in Fort Lauderdale is $1,776/month and in Columbia it's $1,158/month — a difference of $618/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Lauderdale or Columbia?
Median household income is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale and $55,653 in Columbia. Median household income is $24,282/year higher in Fort Lauderdale.
How do taxes compare between Florida and South Carolina?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. South Carolina has 6.4% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.57% property tax.
Should I move to Fort Lauderdale or Columbia?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,776/mo, while Columbia has a cost index of 80 with rent of $1,158/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fort Lauderdale details → View Columbia details →

More Comparisons

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