Fort Lauderdale vs Surprise
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Lauderdale
Surprise
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 18.4%, with Surprise being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fort Lauderdale has equivalent purchasing power to $63,320 in Surprise.
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 $63,320 in Surprise.
Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $88,835 in Fort Lauderdale.
Living in Fort Lauderdale vs Surprise
Housing Costs
Fort Lauderdale's housing index of 155 is higher Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $419,000. The $39,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,532 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,000/mo in Fort Lauderdale compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $425.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Fort Lauderdale and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Fort Lauderdale vs $475/month in Surprise. Surprise offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in Fort Lauderdale and 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Fort Lauderdale vs $408 in Surprise. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 99 in Fort Lauderdale and 97 in Surprise. 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 $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $44,646 and $83,010 respectively. Surprise 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 $1,995/month in Surprise. In Fort Lauderdale, median rent of $2,000/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 50 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases