Fort Lauderdale FL vs Miami Gardens FL — 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%
Miami Gardens, FL
Florida · Population: 11,627
- Median HH Income$137,873
- Median Home Price$472,888
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+64.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Miami Gardens
11,627
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Miami Gardens
37.7
Miami Gardens +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Miami Gardens
29.1%
Miami Gardens +
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Miami Gardens +
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Miami Gardens +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Miami Gardens +
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 11,627 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 37.7 | Miami Gardens + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 29.1% | Miami Gardens + |
| White | 51.3% | 52.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Black | 28.8% | 15.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 34.0% | Miami Gardens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $137,873 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $57,003 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 6.5% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 7.9% | Miami Gardens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 64.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Miami Gardens +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $472,888 | Miami Gardens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 86.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Miami Gardens
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Miami Gardens
1453
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 324 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1453 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Miami Gardens
34.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Miami Gardens
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
Miami Gardens
15.4%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 34.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 17.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.5% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 22.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.7% | Miami Gardens + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 15.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Miami Gardens
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Fort Lauderdale +
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 29.2 min | Fort Lauderdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, while miami Gardens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $472,888. On public safety, Miami Gardens is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Miami Gardens 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%.
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