Chula Vista CA 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)
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
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
Chula Vista
8,933
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chula Vista
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Median Age
Chula Vista
42.9
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Tie
Foreign Born
Chula Vista
20.0%
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
White
Chula Vista
65.7%
Chula Vista +
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Black
Chula Vista
0.7%
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Asian
Chula Vista
0.7%
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Fort Lauderdale +
Hispanic
Chula Vista
36.5%
Chula Vista +
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Spanish at Home
Chula Vista
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,933 | 183,032 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 42.9 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 26.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 65.7% | 51.3% | Chula Vista + |
| Black | 0.7% | 28.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 1.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Hispanic | 36.5% | 20.1% | Chula Vista + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chula Vista
$104,238
Chula Vista +
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Per Capita Income
Chula Vista
$49,562
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chula Vista
$77,230
Chula Vista +
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chula Vista
26.9%
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,238 | $79,935 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,562 | $57,845 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Chula Vista + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 5.3% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.5% | 15.2% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.9% | 39.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chula Vista
$849,245
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Fort Lauderdale +
Homeownership Rate
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,245 | $510,297 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.4% | 53.8% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
503
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
2388
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
26.6%
Chula Vista +
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
11.4%
Chula Vista +
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chula Vista
16.0%
Chula Vista +
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
12.4%
Chula Vista +
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
15.7%
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
9.6%
Chula Vista +
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 30.3% | Chula Vista + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.8% | Chula Vista + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.2% | Chula Vista + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.7% | Chula Vista + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.0% | Chula Vista + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Chula Vista +
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Chula Vista +
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 75.5°F | Chula Vista + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.8 in | 66.5 in | Chula Vista + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chula Vista
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chula Vista
26.9 min
Chula Vista +
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 28.5 min | Chula Vista + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista leads in median household income at $104,238, 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 503 in Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chula Vista scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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