Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Fort Lauderdale.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Fort Lauderdale?
For relocators asking how much Fort Lauderdale costs: the housing index sits at 141 versus 100 nationally, with homes near $455,600 and rents near $1,776. Local median income is about $79,935 and unemployment recently ran 4.6% (U.S. 4.2%). Commutes average 27 minutes. Violent-offense rates run about 594.3 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 141U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $455,600U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,776U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $79,935U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 4.6%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 27 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 594.3per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 89°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Fort Lauderdale compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 190,641City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $79,935Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-yearNear U.S. avg ($78,538)U.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 141ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year41% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $455,600City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year50% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,776City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year32% above U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 4.6%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 27 min8% above U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 5829% above U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 594.3annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)Near U.S. avg (586.6)U.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 4915.4annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)59% above U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 89°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals2.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 63°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals29.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 60.9 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals85% above U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 234As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals13% below U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Fort Lauderdale grew 14.8% from 166,126 in 2010 to 190,641 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Fort Lauderdale expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Fort Lauderdale runs 41 points higher on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 141 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $455,600 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,776 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Fort Lauderdale?
Budget first around $1,776/month rent or $455,600 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $455,600
- Median rent $1,776/month
- Median household income $79,935
What is the job market like in Fort Lauderdale?
Labor-market context for Fort Lauderdale: unemployment 4.6% and median income $79,935. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 4.6% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $79,935
How long is the typical commute in Fort Lauderdale?
Plan on roughly 27 minutes each way in Fort Lauderdale. Walk Score estimates around 58 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 27 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 58/100
Is Fort Lauderdale safer than similar U.S. cities?
Fort Lauderdale's FBI-derived violent rate (~594.3/100k) sits at or above the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 594.3 per 100k
- Property 4915.4 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Fort Lauderdale?
Fort Lauderdale's climate profile: 89°F summer peaks, 63°F winter mornings, 60.9" annual rainfall, and 234 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 89°F
- Winter low 63°F
- 60.9 in rain · 234 sunny days
Relocators eyeing Fort Lauderdale, Florida will find roughly 190,641 residents within city limits. Households here report a median income near $79,935; our housing-derived cost index is about 141 (well above the national housing-cost baseline). Budget for median rents around $1,776 a month before you lock a neighborhood.
Subtropical summers, hurricane planning, and no state income tax loom large. With about 60.9 inches of rain a year, wet-season drainage and mold checks are worth asking about. Commutes average near 27 minutes one-way, with walkability near 58/100. BLS LAUS puts recent unemployment around 4.6% for the surrounding county. Violent-offense rates near 594.3 per 100k sit in a mid-to-elevated band versus many peer cities in this catalog.
Fort Lauderdale is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Fort Lauderdale with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Fort Lauderdale city, 1600000US1224000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Broward County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00012849 FT LAUDERDALE HOLLYWOOD AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10