CostIndexUSA

Fort Lauderdale, FL vs Kalamazoo, MI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

FL
Fort Lauderdale
114.2
overall index
$2,650/mo rent
More AffordableMI
Kalamazoo
94.8
overall index
$1,350/mo rent

Kalamazoo is significantly cheaper than Fort Lauderdale — 17.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fort Lauderdale, you would need $66,400 in Kalamazoo. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing47.6%
Fort Lauderdale
155.6
Kalamazoo
81.6
🛒 Groceries9.6%
Fort Lauderdale
103.6
Kalamazoo
93.7
🚗 Transportation8.8%
Fort Lauderdale
114.6
Kalamazoo
104.5
🏥 Healthcare8.8%
Fort Lauderdale
103.7
Kalamazoo
94.6
Utilities+2.2%
Fort Lauderdale
97.2
Kalamazoo
99.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Kalamazoo, MI
$66,400
$13,600 less needed in Kalamazoo

Formula: salary × (94.8 ÷ 114.2) = salary × 0.8301. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Fort Lauderdale, FL

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

Kalamazoo, MI

Median Home Price
$262,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,350
Housing Index
81.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.2×

Fort Lauderdale has 47.6% lower housing costs compared to Kalamazoo.

Income & Job Market

Fort Lauderdale, FL

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

Kalamazoo, MI

Median Household Income
$67,200
Per Capita Income
$38,300
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Population
72,305
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingPharmaceuticalsFinance

Affordability at a Glance

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

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

58% of income left after rent (median)

Kalamazoo, MI
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.