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

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132
VS

Paterson

New Jersey
106

Fort Lauderdale is 25% more expensive than Paterson.

$1,776/mo ↑ 22%
Median Rent
$1,457/mo ↓ 18%
$79,935/yr ↑ 49%
Median Income
$53,766/yr ↓ 33%
$455,600 ↑ 36%
Home Value
$335,400 ↓ 26%
$1,778/mo ↑ 14%
Owner Costs
$1,553/mo ↓ 13%
183,032
Population
157,660

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
32.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Lauderdale, FL and Paterson, NJ, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $319/month cheaper in Paterson, saving renters about $3,828/year.

Median household income is $26,169/year higher in Fort Lauderdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Lauderdale is $455,600 compared to $335,400 in Paterson.

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 Paterson — common questions

Is Fort Lauderdale or Paterson cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Paterson is cheaper to live in with an index of 106 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Lauderdale and Paterson?
Median rent in Fort Lauderdale is $1,776/month and in Paterson it's $1,457/month — a difference of $319/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Lauderdale or Paterson?
Median household income is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale and $53,766 in Paterson. Median household income is $26,169/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 Paterson?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,776/mo, while Paterson has a cost index of 106 with rent of $1,457/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fort Lauderdale details → View Paterson details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Fort Lauderdale and Paterson

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