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

Scottsdale

Arizona
165
VS

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132

Scottsdale is 25% more expensive than Fort Lauderdale.

$1,910/mo ↑ 8%
Median Rent
$1,776/mo ↓ 7%
$107,372/yr ↑ 34%
Median Income
$79,935/yr ↓ 26%
$709,900 ↑ 56%
Home Value
$455,600 ↓ 36%
$1,824/mo ↑ 3%
Owner Costs
$1,778/mo ↓ 3%
242,169
Population
183,032

Tax Comparison

2.5%
Income Tax
0%
5.6%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.62%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Scottsdale, AZ and Fort Lauderdale, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 165 and 132 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $134/month cheaper in Fort Lauderdale, saving renters about $1,608/year.

Median household income is $27,437/year higher in Scottsdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Scottsdale is $709,900 compared to $455,600 in Fort Lauderdale.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Fort Lauderdale residents a significant tax advantage over Arizona's 2.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Scottsdale vs Fort Lauderdale — common questions

Is Scottsdale 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 165 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Scottsdale and Fort Lauderdale?
Median rent in Scottsdale is $1,910/month and in Fort Lauderdale it's $1,776/month — a difference of $134/month.
Which city has higher income, Scottsdale or Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income is $107,372 in Scottsdale and $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale. Median household income is $27,437/year higher in Scottsdale.
How do taxes compare between Arizona and Florida?
Arizona has 2.5% income tax, 5.6% sales tax, and 0.62% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Scottsdale or Fort Lauderdale?
It depends on your priorities. Scottsdale has a cost index of 165 with median rent of $1,910/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 Scottsdale details → View Fort Lauderdale details →

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