Cost of Living: Fort Lauderdale, FL vs Costa Mesa, CA (2026)

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132
VS

Costa Mesa

California
228

Fort Lauderdale is 42% cheaper than Costa Mesa.

$1,776/mo ↓ 26%
Median Rent
$2,395/mo ↑ 35%
$79,935/yr ↓ 27%
Median Income
$110,073/yr ↑ 38%
$455,600 ↓ 57%
Home Value
$1,054,700 ↑ 131%
$1,778/mo ↓ 28%
Owner Costs
$2,462/mo ↑ 38%
183,032
Population
110,538

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

26.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Lauderdale, FL and Costa Mesa, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 228 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $619/month cheaper in Fort Lauderdale, saving renters about $7,428/year.

Median household income is $30,138/year higher in Costa Mesa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Lauderdale is $455,600 compared to $1,054,700 in Costa Mesa.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Fort Lauderdale residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Lauderdale vs Costa Mesa — common questions

Is Fort Lauderdale or Costa Mesa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fort Lauderdale is cheaper to live in with an index of 132 compared to 228 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Lauderdale and Costa Mesa?
Median rent in Fort Lauderdale is $1,776/month and in Costa Mesa it's $2,395/month — a difference of $619/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Lauderdale or Costa Mesa?
Median household income is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale and $110,073 in Costa Mesa. Median household income is $30,138/year higher in Costa Mesa.
How do taxes compare between Florida and California?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Fort Lauderdale or Costa Mesa?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,776/mo, while Costa Mesa has a cost index of 228 with rent of $2,395/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fort Lauderdale details → View Costa Mesa details →

More Comparisons

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