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

Orlando

Florida
115
VS

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132

Orlando is 13% cheaper than Fort Lauderdale.

$1,650/mo ↓ 7%
Median Rent
$1,776/mo ↑ 8%
$69,268/yr ↓ 13%
Median Income
$79,935/yr ↑ 15%
$359,000 ↓ 21%
Home Value
$455,600 ↑ 27%
$1,621/mo ↓ 9%
Owner Costs
$1,778/mo ↑ 10%
311,732
Population
183,032

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

28.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Orlando, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 115 and 132 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $126/month cheaper in Orlando, saving renters about $1,512/year.

Median household income is $10,667/year higher in Fort Lauderdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Orlando is $359,000 compared to $455,600 in Fort Lauderdale.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Orlando vs Fort Lauderdale — common questions

Is Orlando or Fort Lauderdale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Orlando is cheaper to live in with an index of 115 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Orlando and Fort Lauderdale?
Median rent in Orlando is $1,650/month and in Fort Lauderdale it's $1,776/month — a difference of $126/month.
Which city has higher income, Orlando or Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income is $69,268 in Orlando and $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale. Median household income is $10,667/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 Orlando or Fort Lauderdale?
It depends on your priorities. Orlando has a cost index of 115 with median rent of $1,650/mo, while Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with rent of $1,776/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Orlando details → View Fort Lauderdale details →

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