Cost of Living: Fort Lauderdale, FL vs Lehigh Acres, FL (2026)

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132
VS

Lehigh Acres

Florida
95

Fort Lauderdale is 39% more expensive than Lehigh Acres.

$1,776/mo ↑ 19%
Median Rent
$1,496/mo ↓ 16%
$79,935/yr ↑ 28%
Median Income
$62,330/yr ↓ 22%
$455,600 ↑ 73%
Home Value
$263,200 ↓ 42%
$1,778/mo ↑ 34%
Owner Costs
$1,330/mo ↓ 25%
183,032
Population
127,391

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

26.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Lauderdale, FL and Lehigh Acres, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 95 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $280/month cheaper in Lehigh Acres, saving renters about $3,360/year.

Median household income is $17,605/year higher in Fort Lauderdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Lauderdale is $455,600 compared to $263,200 in Lehigh Acres.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in Florida.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Lauderdale vs Lehigh Acres — common questions

Is Fort Lauderdale or Lehigh Acres cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lehigh Acres is cheaper to live in with an index of 95 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Lauderdale and Lehigh Acres?
Median rent in Fort Lauderdale is $1,776/month and in Lehigh Acres it's $1,496/month — a difference of $280/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Lauderdale or Lehigh Acres?
Median household income is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale and $62,330 in Lehigh Acres. Median household income is $17,605/year higher in Fort Lauderdale.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Florida?
Both cities are in Florida and share the same state tax rates: 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Fort Lauderdale or Lehigh Acres?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,776/mo, while Lehigh Acres has a cost index of 95 with rent of $1,496/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fort Lauderdale details → View Lehigh Acres details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Fort Lauderdale and Lehigh Acres

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