Cost of Living: Fort Lauderdale, FL vs Elizabeth, NJ (2026)

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132
VS

Elizabeth

New Jersey
112

Fort Lauderdale is 18% more expensive than Elizabeth.

$1,776/mo ↑ 21%
Median Rent
$1,463/mo ↓ 18%
$79,935/yr ↑ 25%
Median Income
$63,874/yr ↓ 20%
$455,600 ↑ 16%
Home Value
$393,500 ↓ 14%
$1,778/mo ↑ 15%
Owner Costs
$1,543/mo ↓ 13%
183,032
Population
135,887

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
10.75%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.625%
0.86%
Property Tax
2.23%

Affordability

26.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Lauderdale, FL and Elizabeth, NJ, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 112 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $313/month cheaper in Elizabeth, saving renters about $3,756/year.

Median household income is $16,061/year higher in Fort Lauderdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Lauderdale is $455,600 compared to $393,500 in Elizabeth.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Fort Lauderdale residents a significant tax advantage over New Jersey's 10.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Lauderdale vs Elizabeth — common questions

Is Fort Lauderdale or Elizabeth cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Elizabeth is cheaper to live in with an index of 112 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Lauderdale and Elizabeth?
Median rent in Fort Lauderdale is $1,776/month and in Elizabeth it's $1,463/month — a difference of $313/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Lauderdale or Elizabeth?
Median household income is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale and $63,874 in Elizabeth. Median household income is $16,061/year higher in Fort Lauderdale.
How do taxes compare between Florida and New Jersey?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. New Jersey has 10.75% income tax, 6.625% sales tax, and 2.23% property tax.
Should I move to Fort Lauderdale or Elizabeth?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,776/mo, while Elizabeth has a cost index of 112 with rent of $1,463/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fort Lauderdale details → View Elizabeth details →

More Comparisons

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