Fort Lauderdale FL vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Reno
37.3
Reno +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Reno
16.1%
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 37.3 | Reno + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 16.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 51.3% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 28.8% | 3.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Reno
$78,448
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Reno
$45,180
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Reno
35.7%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $78,448 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $45,180 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $62,696 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.0% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 35.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Fort Lauderdale +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $570,934 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 49.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Reno
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 460 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2417 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Reno
13.0%
Reno +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Reno
12.8%
Reno +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.5% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 13.0% | Reno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 18.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.8% | Reno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Reno
53.0°F
Reno +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | 53.0°F | Reno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 22.3 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, 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 460 in Reno. Reno has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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