Cost of Living: Fort Lauderdale, FL vs Waterbury, CT (2026)

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132
VS

Waterbury

Connecticut
76

Fort Lauderdale is 74% more expensive than Waterbury.

$1,776/mo ↑ 51%
Median Rent
$1,180/mo ↓ 34%
$79,935/yr ↑ 55%
Median Income
$51,642/yr ↓ 35%
$455,600 ↑ 146%
Home Value
$185,400 ↓ 59%
$1,778/mo ↑ 40%
Owner Costs
$1,273/mo ↓ 28%
183,032
Population
114,356

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
6.99%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.35%
0.86%
Property Tax
2.15%

Affordability

26.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Lauderdale, FL and Waterbury, CT, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 76 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $596/month cheaper in Waterbury, saving renters about $7,152/year.

Median household income is $28,293/year higher in Fort Lauderdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Lauderdale is $455,600 compared to $185,400 in Waterbury.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Fort Lauderdale residents a significant tax advantage over Connecticut's 6.99% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Lauderdale vs Waterbury — common questions

Is Fort Lauderdale or Waterbury cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Waterbury is cheaper to live in with an index of 76 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Lauderdale and Waterbury?
Median rent in Fort Lauderdale is $1,776/month and in Waterbury it's $1,180/month — a difference of $596/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Lauderdale or Waterbury?
Median household income is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale and $51,642 in Waterbury. Median household income is $28,293/year higher in Fort Lauderdale.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Connecticut?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Connecticut has 6.99% income tax, 6.35% sales tax, and 2.15% property tax.
Should I move to Fort Lauderdale or Waterbury?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,776/mo, while Waterbury has a cost index of 76 with rent of $1,180/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fort Lauderdale details → View Waterbury details →

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