Fort Lauderdale FL vs Sacramento CA — 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Sacramento
35.7
Sacramento +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Sacramento
21.3%
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Sacramento
36.8%
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Sacramento
12.4%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 524,802 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 35.7 | Sacramento + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 21.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 51.3% | 36.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Black | 28.8% | 12.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 29.5% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Sacramento
$42,300
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Sacramento
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Sacramento
14.4%
Sacramento +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Sacramento
36.4%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $83,753 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $42,300 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 6.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 14.4% | Sacramento + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 36.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Sacramento
$480,548
Sacramento +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Sacramento
51.5%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $480,548 | Sacramento + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 51.5% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Sacramento
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
Sacramento
2388
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Sacramento
11.2%
Sacramento +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Sacramento
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Sacramento
10.0%
Sacramento +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Sacramento
11.9%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 30.0% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 11.2% | Sacramento + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 10.0% | Sacramento + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.3% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.9% | Sacramento + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Sacramento
61.0°F
Sacramento +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | 61.0°F | Sacramento + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | 18.5 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Sacramento
27.0 min
Sacramento +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 27.0 min | Sacramento + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, while sacramento offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $480,548. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Sacramento. Fort Lauderdale has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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