Side-by-side comparison

Fort Lauderdale vs Houston

Cost of living comparison for Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Houston, Texas.

Bottom line

Fort Lauderdale is approximately 21% more expensive than Houston. A single person needs about $3,847/mo in Fort Lauderdale versus $3,185/mo in Houston.

Rent in Fort Lauderdale vs Houston

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Fort Lauderdale · Studio

$1,768

Houston · Studio

$1,226

Fort Lauderdale is $542 (44%) higher than Houston

Fort Lauderdale · 1 bedroom

$1,929

Houston · 1 bedroom

$1,279

Fort Lauderdale is $650 (51%) higher than Houston

Fort Lauderdale · 2 bedroom

$2,388

Houston · 2 bedroom

$1,529

Fort Lauderdale is $859 (56%) higher than Houston

Fort Lauderdale · 3 bedroom

$3,297

Houston · 3 bedroom

$2,038

Fort Lauderdale is $1,259 (62%) higher than Houston

Income & earnings in Fort Lauderdale vs Houston

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Fort Lauderdale · Household income

$74,534

Houston · Household income

$73,104

Fort Lauderdale is $1,430 (2%) higher than Houston

Fort Lauderdale · Individual earnings

$41,515

Houston · Individual earnings

$41,738

Houston is $223 (1%) higher than Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale · Per capita

$41,910

Houston · Per capita

$39,978

Fort Lauderdale is $1,932 (5%) higher than Houston

Home values in Fort Lauderdale vs Houston

Average values and property tax.

Fort Lauderdale · Average home value

$380,400

Houston · Average home value

$255,000

Fort Lauderdale is $125,400 (49%) higher than Houston

Fort Lauderdale · Annual property tax

$3,610

Houston · Annual property tax

$4,382

Houston is $772 (21%) higher than Fort Lauderdale

Energy in Fort Lauderdale vs Houston

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Fort Lauderdale · Monthly electricity

$176

Houston · Monthly electricity

$167

Fort Lauderdale is $9 (5%) higher than Houston

Fort Lauderdale · Monthly gas

$21

Houston · Monthly gas

$32

Houston is $11 (52%) higher than Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale · Annual total

$2,364

Houston · Annual total

$2,388

Houston is $24 (1%) higher than Fort Lauderdale

Healthcare in Fort Lauderdale vs Houston

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Fort Lauderdale · Individual premium

$480

Houston · Individual premium

$480

Fort Lauderdale and Houston are about the same

Fort Lauderdale · Family premium

$1,350

Houston · Family premium

$1,350

Fort Lauderdale and Houston are about the same

Fort Lauderdale · Uninsured rate

13.3%

Houston · Uninsured rate

21.2%

Houston is 7.9% (59%) higher than Fort Lauderdale

Taxes in Fort Lauderdale vs Houston

State income and sales tax.

Fort Lauderdale · State income tax

0.0%

Houston · State income tax

0.0%

Fort Lauderdale and Houston are about the same

Fort Lauderdale · State sales tax

6.0%

Houston · State sales tax

6.3%

Houston is 0.3% (4%) higher than Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale · Combined sales tax

7.0%

Houston · Combined sales tax

8.2%

Houston is 1.2% (17%) higher than Fort Lauderdale

Transportation in Fort Lauderdale vs Houston

Commute time and travel modes.

Fort Lauderdale · Average commute

29.0 min

Houston · Average commute

29.0 min

Fort Lauderdale and Houston are about the same

Fort Lauderdale · Drive alone

71.9%

Houston · Drive alone

72.4%

Houston is 0.5% (1%) higher than Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale · Public transit

2.0%

Houston · Public transit

2.1%

Houston is 0.1% (5%) higher than Fort Lauderdale

Monthly cost estimates in Fort Lauderdale vs Houston

All categories combined.

Fort Lauderdale · Single person

$3,847

Houston · Single person

$3,185

Fort Lauderdale is $662 (21%) higher than Houston

Fort Lauderdale · Couple

$5,446

Houston · Couple

$4,536

Fort Lauderdale is $910 (20%) higher than Houston

Fort Lauderdale · Family

$8,513

Houston · Family

$7,187

Fort Lauderdale is $1,326 (18%) higher than Houston

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Fort Lauderdale and Houston.

Is Fort Lauderdale or Houston more expensive?

Fort Lauderdale is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,847/mo in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and $3,185/mo in Houston, Texas, a difference of about 21%.

What is the rent difference between Fort Lauderdale and Houston?

Average one-bedroom rent in Fort Lauderdale, Florida is $1,929/mo versus $1,279/mo in Houston, Texas. Fort Lauderdale is approximately $650 (51%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Fort Lauderdale or Houston?

Fort Lauderdale has the higher average household income. Fort Lauderdale households earn approximately $74,534 per year; Houston households earn approximately $73,104 per year.

More on Fort Lauderdale and Houston

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

Fort Lauderdale profile Houston profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.