Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
18% cheaper
Orlando is 18% more affordable than Fort Lauderdale. A $75,000 salary in Fort Lauderdale is equivalent to $61,475 in Orlando.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Florida salaries · Florida salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Fort Lauderdale has a housing index of 155 while Orlando sits at 104 (national average = 100). The median home in Fort Lauderdale costs $380,000 compared to $320,000 in Orlando, a difference of $60,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $2,000 in Fort Lauderdale versus $1,650 in Orlando.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Fort Lauderdale scores 106 while Orlando scores 103.
Healthcare costs in Fort Lauderdale (99) are higher than Orlando (96). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Fort Lauderdale is $54,468 compared to $48,080 in Orlando. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Orlando.
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