Cost of Living: Fort Lauderdale, FL vs Meridian, ID (2026)

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132
VS

Meridian

Idaho
131

Fort Lauderdale and Meridian have a similar cost of living.

$1,776/mo ↑ 4%
Median Rent
$1,714/mo ↓ 3%
$79,935/yr ↓ 19%
Median Income
$98,686/yr ↑ 23%
$455,600 ↓ 6%
Home Value
$485,000 ↑ 6%
$1,778/mo ↑ 11%
Owner Costs
$1,607/mo ↓ 10%
183,032
Population
124,865

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.8%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.63%

Affordability

26.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Lauderdale, FL and Meridian, ID, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 131 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $62/month cheaper in Meridian, saving renters about $744/year.

Median household income is $18,751/year higher in Meridian. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Lauderdale is $455,600 compared to $485,000 in Meridian.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Fort Lauderdale residents a significant tax advantage over Idaho's 5.8% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Lauderdale vs Meridian — common questions

Is Fort Lauderdale or Meridian cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Meridian is cheaper to live in with an index of 131 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Lauderdale and Meridian?
Median rent in Fort Lauderdale is $1,776/month and in Meridian it's $1,714/month — a difference of $62/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Lauderdale or Meridian?
Median household income is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale and $98,686 in Meridian. Median household income is $18,751/year higher in Meridian.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Idaho?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Idaho has 5.8% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.63% property tax.
Should I move to Fort Lauderdale or Meridian?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,776/mo, while Meridian has a cost index of 131 with rent of $1,714/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fort Lauderdale details → View Meridian details →

More Comparisons

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