Cost of Living: Fort Lauderdale, FL vs West Palm Beach, FL (2026)

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132
VS

West Palm Beach

Florida
119

Fort Lauderdale is 11% more expensive than West Palm Beach.

$1,776/mo ↑ 4%
Median Rent
$1,709/mo ↓ 4%
$79,935/yr ↑ 15%
Median Income
$69,261/yr ↓ 13%
$455,600 ↑ 23%
Home Value
$369,800 ↓ 19%
$1,778/mo ↑ 7%
Owner Costs
$1,667/mo ↓ 6%
183,032
Population
119,508

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

26.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
29.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Lauderdale, FL and West Palm Beach, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 119 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $67/month cheaper in West Palm Beach, saving renters about $804/year.

Median household income is $10,674/year higher in Fort Lauderdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Lauderdale is $455,600 compared to $369,800 in West Palm Beach.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in Florida.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Lauderdale vs West Palm Beach — common questions

Is Fort Lauderdale or West Palm Beach cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, West Palm Beach is cheaper to live in with an index of 119 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach?
Median rent in Fort Lauderdale is $1,776/month and in West Palm Beach it's $1,709/month — a difference of $67/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Lauderdale or West Palm Beach?
Median household income is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale and $69,261 in West Palm Beach. Median household income is $10,674/year higher in Fort Lauderdale.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Florida?
Both cities are in Florida and share the same state tax rates: 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Fort Lauderdale or West Palm Beach?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,776/mo, while West Palm Beach has a cost index of 119 with rent of $1,709/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fort Lauderdale details → View West Palm Beach details →

More Comparisons

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