Fort Lauderdale FL vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 37.4 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 9.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 51.3% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 28.8% | 18.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 8.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $47,372 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
Virginia Beach
1726
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1726 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Virginia Beach
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 36.5% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Fort Lauderdale. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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