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

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132
VS

Santa Maria

California
137

Fort Lauderdale is 4% cheaper than Santa Maria.

$1,776/mo ↓ 4%
Median Rent
$1,842/mo ↑ 4%
$79,935/yr ↓ 6%
Median Income
$84,617/yr ↑ 6%
$455,600 ↓ 5%
Home Value
$478,200 ↑ 5%
$1,778/mo ≈ Same
Owner Costs
$1,789/mo ≈ Same
183,032
Population
109,880

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
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Lauderdale, FL and Santa Maria, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 137 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $66/month cheaper in Fort Lauderdale, saving renters about $792/year.

Median household income is $4,682/year higher in Santa Maria. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Lauderdale is $455,600 compared to $478,200 in Santa Maria.

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 Maria — common questions

Is Fort Lauderdale or Santa Maria cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fort Lauderdale is cheaper to live in with an index of 132 compared to 137 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Lauderdale and Santa Maria?
Median rent in Fort Lauderdale is $1,776/month and in Santa Maria it's $1,842/month — a difference of $66/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Lauderdale or Santa Maria?
Median household income is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale and $84,617 in Santa Maria. Median household income is $4,682/year higher in Santa Maria.
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 Maria?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,776/mo, while Santa Maria has a cost index of 137 with rent of $1,842/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fort Lauderdale details → View Santa Maria details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Fort Lauderdale and Santa Maria

Fort Lauderdale vs. Shreveport Fort Lauderdale vs. Chattanooga Fort Lauderdale vs. Newport News Fort Lauderdale vs. Aurora Fort Lauderdale vs. Mobile Fort Lauderdale vs. Ontario Santa Maria vs. Ventura Santa Maria vs. Sugar Land Santa Maria vs. Temecula Santa Maria vs. Greeley Santa Maria vs. Costa Mesa Santa Maria vs. South Fulton