CostIndexUSA

Arlington, TX vs Fort Lauderdale, FL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
Arlington
103.1
overall index
$1,775/mo rent
FL
Fort Lauderdale
114.2
overall index
$2,650/mo rent

Arlington is moderately cheaper than Fort Lauderdale — 10.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Arlington, you would need $88,600 in Fort Lauderdale. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+32.0%
Arlington
117.9
Fort Lauderdale
155.6
🛒 Groceries+0.8%
Arlington
102.8
Fort Lauderdale
103.6
🚗 Transportation+9.5%
Arlington
104.7
Fort Lauderdale
114.6
🏥 Healthcare+9.5%
Arlington
94.7
Fort Lauderdale
103.7
Utilities+7.2%
Arlington
90.7
Fort Lauderdale
97.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Arlington to see what you'd need to earn in Fort Lauderdale to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Fort Lauderdale, FL
$88,600
$8,600 more needed in Fort Lauderdale

Formula: salary × (114.2 ÷ 103.1) = salary × 1.1077. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Arlington, TX

Median Home Price
$450,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
117.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.1×

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Median Home Price
$467,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,650
Housing Index
155.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.7×

Fort Lauderdale has 32.0% higher housing costs compared to Arlington.

Income & Job Market

Arlington, TX

Median Household Income
$86,900
Per Capita Income
$49,500
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
394,266
Top Industries
EntertainmentManufacturingTechnologyHealthcareFinance

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Median Household Income
$76,300
Per Capita Income
$43,500
Unemployment Rate
4.1%
Population
182,760
Top Industries
FinanceTourismHealthcareReal EstateMarine

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Arlington, TX
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Fort Lauderdale, FL
2.4×income-to-rent ratio

58% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.