Cost of Living: Fort Lauderdale, FL vs Elk Grove, CA (2026)

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132
VS

Elk Grove

California
168

Fort Lauderdale is 21% cheaper than Elk Grove.

$1,776/mo ↓ 19%
Median Rent
$2,180/mo ↑ 23%
$79,935/yr ↓ 35%
Median Income
$122,229/yr ↑ 53%
$455,600 ↓ 24%
Home Value
$603,400 ↑ 32%
$1,778/mo ↓ 20%
Owner Costs
$2,227/mo ↑ 25%
183,032
Population
177,221

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
21.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Lauderdale, FL and Elk Grove, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 168 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $404/month cheaper in Fort Lauderdale, saving renters about $4,848/year.

Median household income is $42,294/year higher in Elk Grove. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Lauderdale is $455,600 compared to $603,400 in Elk Grove.

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 Elk Grove — common questions

Is Fort Lauderdale or Elk Grove cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fort Lauderdale is cheaper to live in with an index of 132 compared to 168 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Lauderdale and Elk Grove?
Median rent in Fort Lauderdale is $1,776/month and in Elk Grove it's $2,180/month — a difference of $404/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Lauderdale or Elk Grove?
Median household income is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale and $122,229 in Elk Grove. Median household income is $42,294/year higher in Elk Grove.
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 Elk Grove?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,776/mo, while Elk Grove has a cost index of 168 with rent of $2,180/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fort Lauderdale details → View Elk Grove details →

More Comparisons

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