Cost of Living: Fort Lauderdale, FL vs Santa Clara, CA (2026)

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132
VS

Santa Clara

California
307

Fort Lauderdale is 57% cheaper than Santa Clara.

$1,776/mo ↓ 41%
Median Rent
$2,985/mo ↑ 68%
$79,935/yr ↓ 54%
Median Income
$173,670/yr ↑ 117%
$455,600 ↓ 70%
Home Value
$1,527,900 ↑ 235%
$1,778/mo ↓ 42%
Owner Costs
$3,051/mo ↑ 72%
183,032
Population
129,239

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
20.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Lauderdale, FL and Santa Clara, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 307 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,209/month cheaper in Fort Lauderdale, saving renters about $14,508/year.

Median household income is $93,735/year higher in Santa Clara. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Lauderdale is $455,600 compared to $1,527,900 in Santa Clara.

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 Santa Clara — common questions

Is Fort Lauderdale or Santa Clara cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fort Lauderdale is cheaper to live in with an index of 132 compared to 307 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Lauderdale and Santa Clara?
Median rent in Fort Lauderdale is $1,776/month and in Santa Clara it's $2,985/month — a difference of $1,209/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Lauderdale or Santa Clara?
Median household income is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale and $173,670 in Santa Clara. Median household income is $93,735/year higher in Santa Clara.
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 Santa Clara?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,776/mo, while Santa Clara has a cost index of 307 with rent of $2,985/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fort Lauderdale details → View Santa Clara details →

More Comparisons

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