CostIndexUSA

Dallas, TX vs Fort Lauderdale, FL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
Dallas
103.1
overall index
$1,625/mo rent
FL
Fort Lauderdale
114.2
overall index
$2,650/mo rent

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

To match an $80,000 salary in Dallas, 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%
Dallas
117.9
Fort Lauderdale
155.6
🛒 Groceries+0.8%
Dallas
102.8
Fort Lauderdale
103.6
🚗 Transportation+9.5%
Dallas
104.7
Fort Lauderdale
114.6
🏥 Healthcare+9.5%
Dallas
94.7
Fort Lauderdale
103.7
Utilities+7.2%
Dallas
90.7
Fort Lauderdale
97.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Dallas 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

Dallas, TX

Median Home Price
$358,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,625
Housing Index
117.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.4×

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 Dallas.

Income & Job Market

Dallas, TX

Median Household Income
$86,900
Per Capita Income
$49,500
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
1,304,379
Top Industries
FinanceTechnologyHealthcareTelecommunicationsReal Estate

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).

Dallas, TX
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.