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

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132

San Francisco is 102% more expensive than Fort Lauderdale.

$2,419/mo ↑ 36%
Median Rent
$1,776/mo ↓ 27%
$141,446/yr ↑ 77%
Median Income
$79,935/yr ↓ 43%
$1,380,500 ↑ 203%
Home Value
$455,600 ↓ 67%
$2,620/mo ↑ 47%
Owner Costs
$1,778/mo ↓ 32%
836,321
Population
183,032

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Fort Lauderdale, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 132 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $643/month cheaper in Fort Lauderdale, saving renters about $7,716/year.

Median household income is $61,511/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 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

San Francisco vs Fort Lauderdale — common questions

Is San Francisco 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 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Fort Lauderdale?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Fort Lauderdale it's $1,776/month — a difference of $643/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale. Median household income is $61,511/year higher in San Francisco.
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 San Francisco or Fort Lauderdale?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/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 San Francisco details → View Fort Lauderdale details →

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