Fort Lauderdale FL vs Kailua HI — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
Kailua, HI
Hawaii · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$1,530,716
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Kailua
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Kailua
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Kailua
N/A
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Kailua
N/A
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Kailua
N/A
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Kailua
N/A
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Kailua
N/A
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Kailua
N/A
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Kailua
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | N/A | - |
| White | 51.3% | N/A | - |
| Black | 28.8% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 1.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Kailua
N/A
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Kailua
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Kailua
$63,296
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Kailua
N/A
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Kailua
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Kailua
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $63,296 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Fort Lauderdale +
Kailua
$1,530,716
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Kailua
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $1,530,716 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Kailua
276
Kailua +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
Kailua
2592
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 276 | Kailua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2592 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Kailua
26.5%
Kailua +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Kailua
9.8%
Kailua +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Kailua
15.8%
Kailua +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Kailua
3.7%
Kailua +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Kailua
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
Kailua
14.9%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 26.5% | Kailua + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 9.8% | Kailua + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 15.8% | Kailua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 3.7% | Kailua + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 18.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Kailua
69.3°F
Kailua +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Fort Lauderdale +
Kailua
107.9 in
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | 69.3°F | Kailua + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | 107.9 in | Fort Lauderdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Kailua
3.3 µg/m³
Kailua +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Kailua
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 3.3 µg/m³ | Kailua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Kailua
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $510,297. On public safety, Kailua is safer with a violent crime rate of 276 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Fort Lauderdale. Kailua has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kailua scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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