Fort Lauderdale FL vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Tallahassee
8.0%
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Tallahassee
50.7%
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 199,696 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 8.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 51.3% | 50.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Black | 28.8% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 8.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Tallahassee
$35,704
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $55,931 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $35,704 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 6.5% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 23.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $293,664 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 39.5% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Tallahassee
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Tallahassee
1453
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 324 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1453 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Tallahassee
34.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Tallahassee
13.2%
Tallahassee +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Tallahassee
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 34.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 20.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 13.2% | Tallahassee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.2% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Tallahassee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Tallahassee
58.1 in
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | 67.6°F | Tallahassee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | 58.1 in | Tallahassee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tallahassee 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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