Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
8% cheaper
Sarasota is 8% more affordable than Fort Lauderdale. A $75,000 salary in Fort Lauderdale is equivalent to $68,852 in Sarasota.
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 Sarasota sits at 132 (national average = 100). The median home in Fort Lauderdale costs $380,000 compared to $380,000 in Sarasota, a difference of $0. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $2,000 in Fort Lauderdale versus $1,800 in Sarasota.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Fort Lauderdale scores 106 while Sarasota scores 104.
Healthcare costs in Fort Lauderdale (99) are higher than Sarasota (97). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Fort Lauderdale is $54,468 compared to $52,147 in Sarasota. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Sarasota.
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