Living in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Fort Lauderdale is the 141st-largest city in the US, home to about 189,000 people in 2025. It has grown 3.3% since 2020. Prices across the metro area run above the national average (114.2 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 188,677+3.3% since 2020
- Median home value
- $486,7005.9 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,854/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $83,130median, per year
- Price level
- 114.2US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 76° / 90°lows 61° / 78°
- Average commute
- 26 min19% work from home
- State income tax
- Noneon wages
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County: Broward County
Time zone: Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 in summer)
Elevation: about 3 ft
Metro area: Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL
Cost of living in Fort Lauderdale
The median home in Fort Lauderdale is worth $486,700 and the median household earns $83,130 a year, so a typical home costs about 5.9 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,854 a month, about 27% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL metro area at 114.2, with housing at 155.6 and goods at 103.6 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $85,600 here. Florida has no state income tax on wages. The average combined state and local sales tax in Florida is 6.98%.
What would my salary be worth in Fort Lauderdale?
Fort Lauderdale weather
Average highs run from 76°F in January to 90°F in July, and January nights average 61°F. It gets 61 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. Expect about 68 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are November to April.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Fort Lauderdale
People and work
The median resident is 42.8 years old, and 41% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 54% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 26 minutes; 19% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 42.8515th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 41%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 54%of households
- People per sq mile
- 5,45634.6 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 2%2% walk, 0.5% bike
- Unemployment
- 5.3%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 15%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1973median year
Who moves to Fort Lauderdale, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Orlando (Orange County), Kings County, NY and New York (Queens County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Orlando (Orange County), Tampa (Hillsborough County) and Lakeland (Polk County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
FEMA rating for Broward County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: hurricane, inland flooding, coastal flooding, lightning.
Home prices
+0.8% in a year
Up 50% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach-Sunrise, FL (MSAD) area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
53% good days
1 day unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Fort Lauderdale
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- LoanDepot Park 24 miles
- University of Miami 28 miles
- Florida International University 28 miles
- Broward College 2 miles
- Florida Atlantic University 18 miles
- Palm Beach State College 34 miles
- Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale 5 miles
- Nova Southeastern University 5 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Fort Lauderdale
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport FLL | 4 mi | 17,096,131 |
| Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport FXE | 5 mi | 10,493 |
| Miami International Airport MIA | 24 mi | 26,588,002 |
| President Donald J. Trump International Airport PBI | 39 mi | 4,127,211 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Fort Lauderdale
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broward College | 2 mi | 24,922 | $7,989 | n/a |
| Florida Atlantic University | 18 mi | 23,757 | $10,394 | 64% |
| Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale | 5 mi | 17,678 | $32,640 | n/a |
| Nova Southeastern University | 5 mi | 7,240 | $27,714 | 62% |
| Lynn University | 19 mi | 2,859 | $43,806 | 57% |
| Everglades University | 19 mi | 2,789 | $29,825 | 58% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Fort Lauderdale
Freezing nights are rare here.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Fort Lauderdale Hollywood Airport, FL, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Fort Lauderdale.
Wildfire smoke in Fort Lauderdale
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Fort Lauderdale on about 67 days a year, including about 2 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Fort Lauderdale
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 80,999 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Fort Lauderdale
Downtown Fort Lauderdale is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broward County School District | Pre-K to 12 | 243,553 | 325 | 21.7 |
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Fort Lauderdale's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Fort Lauderdale's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Honolulu, HI49% matchCompare
- The Woodlands, TX33% matchCompare
- League City, TX33% matchCompare
- Pearland, TX33% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Fort Lauderdale
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Pros and cons of living in Fort Lauderdale
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Florida has no state income tax on wages.
- Data Winters are warm, with January highs around 76°F.
Cons
- Data Everyday prices in the metro run 14% above the US average, mostly because of housing.
Fort Lauderdale report card from locals
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Fort Lauderdale through locals' eyes
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Cities near Fort Lauderdale
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plantation, FL | 3 mi | 99,183 | $483,500 | 114.2 | Compare |
| Lauderhill, FL | 4 mi | 75,668 | $272,900 | 114.2 | Compare |
| Sunrise, FL | 6 mi | 98,846 | $354,500 | 114.2 | Compare |
| Davie, FL | 7 mi | 110,851 | $462,900 | 114.2 | Compare |
| Pembroke Pines, FL | 8 mi | 176,714 | $439,500 | 114.2 | Compare |
| Hollywood, FL | 8 mi | 157,019 | $410,600 | 114.2 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Fort Lauderdale ranks 57th of 95 in our best suburbs of Miami ranking.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Fort Lauderdale with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Fort Lauderdale a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show no state income tax on wages, 6 comfortable months a year; the trade-offs are high prices. Compare Fort Lauderdale side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Fort Lauderdale?
The Census Bureau estimates Fort Lauderdale had 188,677 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 182,573 in April 2020 (+3.3%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Fort Lauderdale?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $85,600 in the Fort Lauderdale area. The median household here earns $83,130.
When is the best time to visit Fort Lauderdale?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, November to April are the most comfortable months. July averages 90°F and January 76°F for daytime highs.
What county is Fort Lauderdale in?
Fort Lauderdale is in Broward County, Florida. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Fort Lauderdale in?
Fort Lauderdale is on Eastern Time (UTC-5, or UTC-4 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Fort Lauderdale?
Close to sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Florida have a state income tax?
No. Florida does not tax wage income.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Fort Lauderdale. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Fort Lauderdale Hollywood Airport, FL station; snowfall from Fort Lauderdale, FL. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.