Cost of Living: Fort Lauderdale, FL vs Tuscaloosa, AL (2026)

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132
VS

Tuscaloosa

Alabama
73

Fort Lauderdale is 81% more expensive than Tuscaloosa.

$1,776/mo ↑ 77%
Median Rent
$1,005/mo ↓ 43%
$79,935/yr ↑ 65%
Median Income
$48,536/yr ↓ 39%
$455,600 ↑ 93%
Home Value
$236,600 ↓ 48%
$1,778/mo ↑ 71%
Owner Costs
$1,038/mo ↓ 42%
183,032
Population
107,699

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.0%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.41%

Affordability

26.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Lauderdale, FL and Tuscaloosa, AL, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $771/month cheaper in Tuscaloosa, saving renters about $9,252/year.

Median household income is $31,399/year higher in Fort Lauderdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Lauderdale is $455,600 compared to $236,600 in Tuscaloosa.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Fort Lauderdale residents a significant tax advantage over Alabama's 5.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Lauderdale vs Tuscaloosa — common questions

Is Fort Lauderdale or Tuscaloosa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Tuscaloosa is cheaper to live in with an index of 73 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Lauderdale and Tuscaloosa?
Median rent in Fort Lauderdale is $1,776/month and in Tuscaloosa it's $1,005/month — a difference of $771/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Lauderdale or Tuscaloosa?
Median household income is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale and $48,536 in Tuscaloosa. Median household income is $31,399/year higher in Fort Lauderdale.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Alabama?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Alabama has 5.0% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.41% property tax.
Should I move to Fort Lauderdale or Tuscaloosa?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,776/mo, while Tuscaloosa has a cost index of 73 with rent of $1,005/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fort Lauderdale details → View Tuscaloosa details →

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