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

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132
VS

Santa Rosa

California
172

Fort Lauderdale is 23% cheaper than Santa Rosa.

$1,776/mo ↓ 15%
Median Rent
$2,084/mo ↑ 17%
$79,935/yr ↓ 18%
Median Income
$97,410/yr ↑ 22%
$455,600 ↓ 33%
Home Value
$685,000 ↑ 50%
$1,778/mo ↓ 17%
Owner Costs
$2,130/mo ↑ 20%
183,032
Population
177,216

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
25.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Lauderdale, FL and Santa Rosa, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 172 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $308/month cheaper in Fort Lauderdale, saving renters about $3,696/year.

Median household income is $17,475/year higher in Santa Rosa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Lauderdale is $455,600 compared to $685,000 in Santa Rosa.

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 Rosa — common questions

Is Fort Lauderdale or Santa Rosa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fort Lauderdale is cheaper to live in with an index of 132 compared to 172 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Lauderdale and Santa Rosa?
Median rent in Fort Lauderdale is $1,776/month and in Santa Rosa it's $2,084/month — a difference of $308/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Lauderdale or Santa Rosa?
Median household income is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale and $97,410 in Santa Rosa. Median household income is $17,475/year higher in Santa Rosa.
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 Rosa?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,776/mo, while Santa Rosa has a cost index of 172 with rent of $2,084/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fort Lauderdale details → View Santa Rosa details →

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