Fort Lauderdale FL vs Louisville KY — 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Louisville
37.7
Louisville +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Louisville
9.8%
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Louisville
23.7%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Louisville
2.6%
Louisville +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Louisville
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 627,210 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 37.7 | Louisville + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 9.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 51.3% | 63.1% | Louisville + |
| Black | 28.8% | 23.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.6% | Louisville + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 8.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Louisville
$64,731
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Louisville
$38,890
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Louisville
16.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Louisville
33.4%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $64,731 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $38,890 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $52,606 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.0% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 16.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 33.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $264,957 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 60.6% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
Louisville
1505
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1505 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Louisville
43.3 in
Louisville +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | 43.3 in | Louisville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Louisville
24.2 min
Louisville +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 24.2 min | Louisville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while louisville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,957. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Fort Lauderdale. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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