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

Sacramento

California
132
VS

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132

Sacramento and Fort Lauderdale have a similar cost of living.

$1,694/mo ↓ 5%
Median Rent
$1,776/mo ↑ 5%
$83,753/yr ↑ 5%
Median Income
$79,935/yr ↓ 5%
$484,600 ↑ 6%
Home Value
$455,600 ↓ 6%
$1,752/mo ↓ 1%
Owner Costs
$1,778/mo ↑ 1%
524,802
Population
183,032

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Sacramento, CA and Fort Lauderdale, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 132 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $82/month cheaper in Sacramento, saving renters about $984/year.

Median household income is $3,818/year higher in Sacramento. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Sacramento is $484,600 compared to $455,600 in Fort Lauderdale.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Fort Lauderdale residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sacramento vs Fort Lauderdale — common questions

Is Sacramento or Fort Lauderdale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fort Lauderdale is cheaper to live in with an index of 132 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Sacramento and Fort Lauderdale?
Median rent in Sacramento is $1,694/month and in Fort Lauderdale it's $1,776/month — a difference of $82/month.
Which city has higher income, Sacramento or Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income is $83,753 in Sacramento and $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale. Median household income is $3,818/year higher in Sacramento.
How do taxes compare between California and Florida?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Sacramento or Fort Lauderdale?
It depends on your priorities. Sacramento has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,694/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 Sacramento details → View Fort Lauderdale details →

More Comparisons

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