Carrollton TX vs Fort Lauderdale FL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Carrollton, TX
Texas · Population: 132,741
- Median HH Income$99,115
- Median Home Price$408,531
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carrollton
132,741
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carrollton
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Median Age
Carrollton
38.4
Carrollton +
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Foreign Born
Carrollton
26.9%
Carrollton +
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
White
Carrollton
52.1%
Carrollton +
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Black
Carrollton
9.2%
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Asian
Carrollton
16.4%
Carrollton +
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Hispanic
Carrollton
31.8%
Carrollton +
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Spanish at Home
Carrollton
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,741 | 183,032 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 42.9 | Carrollton + |
| Foreign Born | 26.9% | 26.7% | Carrollton + |
| White | 52.1% | 51.3% | Carrollton + |
| Black | 9.2% | 28.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 16.4% | 1.6% | Carrollton + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 20.1% | Carrollton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carrollton
$99,115
Carrollton +
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Per Capita Income
Carrollton
$50,000
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carrollton
$63,758
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Unemployment Rate
Carrollton
3.2%
Carrollton +
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Carrollton
6.9%
Carrollton +
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carrollton
43.3%
Carrollton +
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $99,115 | $79,935 | Carrollton + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,000 | $57,845 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 5.3% | Carrollton + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.9% | 15.2% | Carrollton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 39.8% | Carrollton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carrollton
$408,531
Carrollton +
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Homeownership Rate
Carrollton
58.3%
Carrollton +
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $408,531 | $510,297 | Carrollton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 53.8% | Carrollton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carrollton
442
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carrollton
2339
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
32.2%
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
10.8%
Carrollton +
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carrollton
15.3%
Carrollton +
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
14.8%
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
16.9%
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
9.8%
Carrollton +
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.2% | 30.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 12.8% | Carrollton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.3% | 16.2% | Carrollton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 14.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 14.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 13.0% | Carrollton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carrollton
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carrollton
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 75.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carrollton
9.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carrollton
55.0%
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carrollton
26.2 min
Carrollton +
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.2 min | 28.5 min | Carrollton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carrollton leads in median household income at $99,115, while carrollton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $408,531. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Carrollton. Carrollton has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
Compare More Cities
Carrollton, TX vs New York, NYCarrollton, TX vs Los Angeles, CACarrollton, TX vs Chicago, ILCarrollton, TX vs Houston, TXCarrollton, TX vs Phoenix, AZCarrollton, TX vs Philadelphia, PA