Chandler AZ 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)
Chandler, AZ
Arizona · Population: 278,123
- Median HH Income$103,691
- Median Home Price$524,013
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
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
Chandler
278,123
Chandler +
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chandler
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Median Age
Chandler
37.4
Chandler +
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Foreign Born
Chandler
15.4%
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
White
Chandler
62.6%
Chandler +
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Black
Chandler
5.2%
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Asian
Chandler
11.4%
Chandler +
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Hispanic
Chandler
21.4%
Chandler +
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Spanish at Home
Chandler
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 278,123 | 183,032 | Chandler + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 42.9 | Chandler + |
| Foreign Born | 15.4% | 26.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 62.6% | 51.3% | Chandler + |
| Black | 5.2% | 28.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 1.6% | Chandler + |
| Hispanic | 21.4% | 20.1% | Chandler + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chandler
$103,691
Chandler +
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Per Capita Income
Chandler
$51,746
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chandler
$59,120
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Unemployment Rate
Chandler
3.6%
Chandler +
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Chandler
7.7%
Chandler +
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chandler
46.8%
Chandler +
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,691 | $79,935 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,746 | $57,845 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $65,328 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 5.3% | Chandler + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 15.2% | Chandler + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 39.8% | Chandler + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chandler
$524,013
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Fort Lauderdale +
Homeownership Rate
Chandler
65.6%
Chandler +
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $524,013 | $510,297 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.6% | 53.8% | Chandler + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
450
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
2150
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 324 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1453 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
28.2%
Chandler +
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.1%
Chandler +
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chandler
14.1%
Chandler +
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.7%
Chandler +
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chandler
16.7%
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.4%
Chandler +
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.2% | 30.3% | Chandler + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 12.8% | Chandler + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.1% | 16.2% | Chandler + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 14.7% | Chandler + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.0% | Chandler + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | 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.)
Chandler
7.1 µg/m³
Chandler +
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chandler
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Chandler + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chandler
26.1 min
Chandler +
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 28.5 min | Chandler + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chandler leads in median household income at $103,691, while fort Lauderdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $510,297. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Chandler. Chandler has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Chandler has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chandler scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.2%.
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