Fort Lauderdale FL vs Tampa 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Tampa
35.6
Tampa +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Tampa
19.0%
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Tampa
51.8%
Tampa +
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Tampa
21.3%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 35.6 | Tampa + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 19.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 51.3% | 51.8% | Tampa + |
| Black | 28.8% | 21.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Tampa
$71,302
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Tampa
$49,513
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Tampa
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Tampa
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $71,302 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $49,513 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 15.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Tampa
$376,530
Tampa +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $376,530 | Tampa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 50.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Tampa
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Tampa
1453
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Tampa, 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 +
Tampa
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Tampa
12.5%
Tampa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Tampa
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 31.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.5% | Tampa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 15.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Tampa
73.4°F
Tampa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Tampa
46.3 in
Tampa +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | 73.4°F | Tampa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | 46.3 in | Tampa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Tampa, 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
Tampa
26.8 min
Tampa +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 26.8 min | Tampa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while tampa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $376,530. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Fort Lauderdale. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa 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