Fort Lauderdale vs Roanoke

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Fort Lauderdale has the same purchasing power as $49,795 in Roanoke.

Conversely, $75,000 in Roanoke equals $112,963 in Fort Lauderdale.

Living in Fort Lauderdale vs Roanoke

Housing Costs

Fort Lauderdale's housing index of 155 is higher Roanoke's 57, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $225,000. The $155,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,080 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,000/mo in Fort Lauderdale compared to $1,075/mo in Roanoke, a monthly difference of $925.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Fort Lauderdale and 97 in Roanoke. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Fort Lauderdale vs $461/month in Roanoke. Roanoke offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in Fort Lauderdale and 116 in Roanoke. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Fort Lauderdale vs $464 in Roanoke. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 99 in Fort Lauderdale and 91 in Roanoke. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $54,468 in Fort Lauderdale and $52,700 in Roanoke. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $44,646 and $65,062 respectively. Roanoke residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,271/month to housing in Fort Lauderdale vs $1,230/month in Roanoke. In Fort Lauderdale, median rent of $2,000/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Roanoke, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 98 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases