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

Tampa

Florida
113
VS

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132

Tampa is 14% cheaper than Fort Lauderdale.

$1,567/mo ↓ 12%
Median Rent
$1,776/mo ↑ 13%
$71,302/yr ↓ 11%
Median Income
$79,935/yr ↑ 12%
$375,300 ↓ 18%
Home Value
$455,600 ↑ 21%
$1,553/mo ↓ 13%
Owner Costs
$1,778/mo ↑ 14%
393,389
Population
183,032

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

26.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Tampa, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 113 and 132 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $209/month cheaper in Tampa, saving renters about $2,508/year.

Median household income is $8,633/year higher in Fort Lauderdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Tampa is $375,300 compared to $455,600 in Fort Lauderdale.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Tampa vs Fort Lauderdale — common questions

Is Tampa or Fort Lauderdale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Tampa is cheaper to live in with an index of 113 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Tampa and Fort Lauderdale?
Median rent in Tampa is $1,567/month and in Fort Lauderdale it's $1,776/month — a difference of $209/month.
Which city has higher income, Tampa or Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income is $71,302 in Tampa and $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale. Median household income is $8,633/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 Tampa or Fort Lauderdale?
It depends on your priorities. Tampa has a cost index of 113 with median rent of $1,567/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 Tampa details → View Fort Lauderdale details →

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