Fort Lauderdale FL vs Tucson AZ — 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 13.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 51.3% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 28.8% | 5.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.1% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $54,546 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $31,152 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 6.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 18.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 30.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 51.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 450 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2150 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Tucson
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 33.5% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 15.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Tucson
69.8°F
Tucson +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | 69.8°F | Tucson + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. Fort Lauderdale has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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