Fort Lauderdale FL vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Seattle
19.9%
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 19.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 51.3% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 28.8% | 6.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 8.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Fort Lauderdale +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $871,599 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 44.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Seattle
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 383 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3409 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 19.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Fort Lauderdale +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 28.8 min | Fort Lauderdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, 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 383 in Seattle. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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