Fort Lauderdale FL vs Spokane 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%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Spokane
37.2
Spokane +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Spokane
2.9%
Spokane +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 37.2 | Spokane + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 6.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 51.3% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 28.8% | 2.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.9% | Spokane + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 7.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Spokane
$65,745
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Spokane
$38,200
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Spokane
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Spokane
32.6%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $65,745 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $38,200 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 6.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 32.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Spokane
$400,636
Spokane +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $400,636 | Spokane + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Spokane
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Spokane, 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%
Fort Lauderdale +
Spokane
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Spokane
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 35.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.5% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Spokane, 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
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while spokane offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $400,636. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Spokane. 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, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
Compare More Cities
Fort Lauderdale, FL vs New York, NYFort Lauderdale, FL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fort Lauderdale, FLFort Lauderdale, FL vs Houston, TXFort Lauderdale, FL vs Phoenix, AZFort Lauderdale, FL vs Philadelphia, PA