Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Fort Lauderdale and Scottsdale have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Florida salaries · Arizona salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Fort Lauderdale has a housing index of 155 while Scottsdale sits at 162 (national average = 100). The median home in Fort Lauderdale costs $380,000 compared to $580,000 in Scottsdale, a difference of $200,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $2,000 in Fort Lauderdale versus $2,000 in Scottsdale.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Fort Lauderdale scores 106 while Scottsdale scores 103.
Healthcare costs in Fort Lauderdale (99) are higher than Scottsdale (95). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Fort Lauderdale is $54,468 compared to $92,298 in Scottsdale. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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