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

San Jose

California
254
VS

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132

San Jose is 92% more expensive than Fort Lauderdale.

$2,617/mo ↑ 47%
Median Rent
$1,776/mo ↓ 32%
$141,565/yr ↑ 77%
Median Income
$79,935/yr ↓ 44%
$1,187,800 ↑ 161%
Home Value
$455,600 ↓ 62%
$2,775/mo ↑ 56%
Owner Costs
$1,778/mo ↓ 36%
990,054
Population
183,032

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Fort Lauderdale, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 132 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $841/month cheaper in Fort Lauderdale, saving renters about $10,092/year.

Median household income is $61,630/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 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 Jose vs Fort Lauderdale — common questions

Is San Jose 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 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Fort Lauderdale?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Fort Lauderdale it's $1,776/month — a difference of $841/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale. Median household income is $61,630/year higher in San Jose.
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 Jose or Fort Lauderdale?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/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 Jose details → View Fort Lauderdale details →

More Comparisons

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