Fort Lauderdale FL vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Tacoma
37.3
Tacoma +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 37.3 | Tacoma + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 12.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 51.3% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 28.8% | 10.5% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 13.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Tacoma
$44,756
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tie
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $44,756 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.3% | Tie |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 33.5% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Tacoma
$496,966
Tacoma +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $496,966 | Tacoma + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Tacoma, 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 +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 37.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | 39.2 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Tacoma, 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 +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 31.1 min | Fort Lauderdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while tacoma offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $496,966. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Tacoma. Tacoma 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%.
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