Cost of Living: Fort Lauderdale, FL vs Surprise, AZ (2026)

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132
VS

Surprise

Arizona
126

Fort Lauderdale is 5% more expensive than Surprise.

$1,776/mo ↓ 7%
Median Rent
$1,917/mo ↑ 8%
$79,935/yr ↓ 14%
Median Income
$93,371/yr ↑ 17%
$455,600 ↑ 15%
Home Value
$396,000 ↓ 13%
$1,778/mo ↑ 12%
Owner Costs
$1,587/mo ↓ 11%
183,032
Population
149,519

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
2.5%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
5.6%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.62%

Affordability

26.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Lauderdale, FL and Surprise, AZ, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 126 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $141/month cheaper in Fort Lauderdale, saving renters about $1,692/year.

Median household income is $13,436/year higher in Surprise. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Lauderdale is $455,600 compared to $396,000 in Surprise.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Fort Lauderdale residents a significant tax advantage over Arizona's 2.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Lauderdale vs Surprise — common questions

Is Fort Lauderdale or Surprise cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Surprise is cheaper to live in with an index of 126 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Lauderdale and Surprise?
Median rent in Fort Lauderdale is $1,776/month and in Surprise it's $1,917/month — a difference of $141/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Lauderdale or Surprise?
Median household income is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale and $93,371 in Surprise. Median household income is $13,436/year higher in Surprise.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Arizona?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Arizona has 2.5% income tax, 5.6% sales tax, and 0.62% property tax.
Should I move to Fort Lauderdale or Surprise?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,776/mo, while Surprise has a cost index of 126 with rent of $1,917/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fort Lauderdale details → View Surprise details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Fort Lauderdale and Surprise

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