Cost of Living: Fort Lauderdale, FL vs Mesquite, TX (2026)

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132
VS

Mesquite

Texas
89

Fort Lauderdale is 48% more expensive than Mesquite.

$1,776/mo ↑ 26%
Median Rent
$1,407/mo ↓ 21%
$79,935/yr ↑ 11%
Median Income
$71,843/yr ↓ 10%
$455,600 ↑ 101%
Home Value
$226,500 ↓ 50%
$1,778/mo ↑ 29%
Owner Costs
$1,383/mo ↓ 22%
183,032
Population
148,848

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.86%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

26.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Lauderdale, FL and Mesquite, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 89 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $369/month cheaper in Mesquite, saving renters about $4,428/year.

Median household income is $8,092/year higher in Fort Lauderdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Lauderdale is $455,600 compared to $226,500 in Mesquite.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Lauderdale vs Mesquite — common questions

Is Fort Lauderdale or Mesquite cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Mesquite is cheaper to live in with an index of 89 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Lauderdale and Mesquite?
Median rent in Fort Lauderdale is $1,776/month and in Mesquite it's $1,407/month — a difference of $369/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Lauderdale or Mesquite?
Median household income is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale and $71,843 in Mesquite. Median household income is $8,092/year higher in Fort Lauderdale.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Texas?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Fort Lauderdale or Mesquite?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,776/mo, while Mesquite has a cost index of 89 with rent of $1,407/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fort Lauderdale details → View Mesquite details →

More Comparisons

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