Fort Lauderdale FL vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Washington
13.3%
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 13.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 51.3% | 39.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Black | 28.8% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 11.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 6.5% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Fort Lauderdale +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $580,173 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 41.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 398 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1999 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 24.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Washington, DC | 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 +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 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 +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 32.8 min | Fort Lauderdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while fort Lauderdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $510,297. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Washington. Fort Lauderdale 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, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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