Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
31% cheaper
Fort Lauderdale is 31% more affordable than Cambridge. A $75,000 salary in Cambridge is equivalent to $51,404 in Fort Lauderdale.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Massachusetts salaries · Florida salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Cambridge has a housing index of 280 while Fort Lauderdale sits at 155 (national average = 100). The median home in Cambridge costs $890,000 compared to $380,000 in Fort Lauderdale, a difference of $510,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $3,100 in Cambridge versus $2,000 in Fort Lauderdale.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Cambridge scores 110 while Fort Lauderdale scores 106.
Healthcare costs in Cambridge (118) are higher than Fort Lauderdale (99).
Median household income in Cambridge is $103,154 compared to $54,468 in Fort Lauderdale. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Fort Lauderdale.
Amazon affiliate links