Side-by-side comparison

Fort Lauderdale vs West Palm Beach

Cost of living comparison for Fort Lauderdale, Florida and West Palm Beach, Florida.

Bottom line

Fort Lauderdale is approximately 2% more expensive than West Palm Beach. A single person needs about $3,847/mo in Fort Lauderdale versus $3,761/mo in West Palm Beach.

Rent in Fort Lauderdale vs West Palm Beach

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Fort Lauderdale · Studio

$1,768

West Palm Beach · Studio

$1,639

Fort Lauderdale is $129 (8%) higher than West Palm Beach

Fort Lauderdale · 1 bedroom

$1,929

West Palm Beach · 1 bedroom

$1,830

Fort Lauderdale is $99 (5%) higher than West Palm Beach

Fort Lauderdale · 2 bedroom

$2,388

West Palm Beach · 2 bedroom

$2,187

Fort Lauderdale is $201 (9%) higher than West Palm Beach

Fort Lauderdale · 3 bedroom

$3,297

West Palm Beach · 3 bedroom

$2,856

Fort Lauderdale is $441 (15%) higher than West Palm Beach

Income & earnings in Fort Lauderdale vs West Palm Beach

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Fort Lauderdale · Household income

$74,534

West Palm Beach · Household income

$81,115

West Palm Beach is $6,581 (9%) higher than Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale · Individual earnings

$41,515

West Palm Beach · Individual earnings

$42,309

West Palm Beach is $794 (2%) higher than Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale · Per capita

$41,910

West Palm Beach · Per capita

$50,998

West Palm Beach is $9,088 (22%) higher than Fort Lauderdale

Home values in Fort Lauderdale vs West Palm Beach

Average values and property tax.

Fort Lauderdale · Average home value

$380,400

West Palm Beach · Average home value

$407,300

West Palm Beach is $26,900 (7%) higher than Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale · Annual property tax

$3,610

West Palm Beach · Annual property tax

$3,600

Fort Lauderdale is $10 (0%) higher than West Palm Beach

Energy in Fort Lauderdale vs West Palm Beach

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Fort Lauderdale · Monthly electricity

$176

West Palm Beach · Monthly electricity

$176

Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach are about the same

Fort Lauderdale · Monthly gas

$21

West Palm Beach · Monthly gas

$21

Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach are about the same

Fort Lauderdale · Annual total

$2,364

West Palm Beach · Annual total

$2,364

Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach are about the same

Healthcare in Fort Lauderdale vs West Palm Beach

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Fort Lauderdale · Individual premium

$480

West Palm Beach · Individual premium

$480

Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach are about the same

Fort Lauderdale · Family premium

$1,350

West Palm Beach · Family premium

$1,350

Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach are about the same

Fort Lauderdale · Uninsured rate

13.3%

West Palm Beach · Uninsured rate

13.2%

Fort Lauderdale is 0.1% (1%) higher than West Palm Beach

Taxes in Fort Lauderdale vs West Palm Beach

State income and sales tax.

Fort Lauderdale · State income tax

0.0%

West Palm Beach · State income tax

0.0%

Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach are about the same

Fort Lauderdale · State sales tax

6.0%

West Palm Beach · State sales tax

6.0%

Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach are about the same

Fort Lauderdale · Combined sales tax

7.0%

West Palm Beach · Combined sales tax

7.0%

Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach are about the same

Transportation in Fort Lauderdale vs West Palm Beach

Commute time and travel modes.

Fort Lauderdale · Average commute

29.0 min

West Palm Beach · Average commute

26.4 min

Fort Lauderdale is 2.6 min (10%) higher than West Palm Beach

Fort Lauderdale · Drive alone

71.9%

West Palm Beach · Drive alone

71.4%

Fort Lauderdale is 0.5% (1%) higher than West Palm Beach

Fort Lauderdale · Public transit

2.0%

West Palm Beach · Public transit

1.4%

Fort Lauderdale is 0.6% (43%) higher than West Palm Beach

Monthly cost estimates in Fort Lauderdale vs West Palm Beach

All categories combined.

Fort Lauderdale · Single person

$3,847

West Palm Beach · Single person

$3,761

Fort Lauderdale is $86 (2%) higher than West Palm Beach

Fort Lauderdale · Couple

$5,446

West Palm Beach · Couple

$5,353

Fort Lauderdale is $93 (2%) higher than West Palm Beach

Fort Lauderdale · Family

$8,513

West Palm Beach · Family

$8,180

Fort Lauderdale is $333 (4%) higher than West Palm Beach

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach.

Is Fort Lauderdale or West Palm Beach more expensive?

Fort Lauderdale is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,847/mo in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and $3,761/mo in West Palm Beach, Florida, a difference of about 2%.

What is the rent difference between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach?

Average one-bedroom rent in Fort Lauderdale, Florida is $1,929/mo versus $1,830/mo in West Palm Beach, Florida. Fort Lauderdale is approximately $99 (5%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Fort Lauderdale or West Palm Beach?

West Palm Beach has the higher average household income. Fort Lauderdale households earn approximately $74,534 per year; West Palm Beach households earn approximately $81,115 per year.

More on Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach

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

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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.