Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
4% cheaper
Tacoma is 4% more affordable than Fort Lauderdale. A $75,000 salary in Fort Lauderdale is equivalent to $71,926 in Tacoma.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Florida salaries · Washington salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Fort Lauderdale has a housing index of 155 while Tacoma sits at 140 (national average = 100). The median home in Fort Lauderdale costs $380,000 compared to $400,000 in Tacoma, a difference of $20,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $2,000 in Fort Lauderdale versus $1,600 in Tacoma.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Fort Lauderdale scores 106 while Tacoma scores 105.
Healthcare costs in Fort Lauderdale (99) are lower than Tacoma (106). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Fort Lauderdale is $54,468 compared to $58,974 in Tacoma. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Tacoma.
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