Living in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Fort Lauderdale · Census data 2020–2024
Fort Lauderdale has 185,604 residents with a median age of 42.8. The median household income is $83,130 (11% higher than the Florida median), the median home value is $486,700, the median rent is $1,854/month.
Fort Lauderdale at a glance
- Population
- 185,604
- Median age
- 42.8State: 42.6
- Median household income
- $83,130State: $74,568
- Median home value
- $486,700State: $359,000
- Median rent
- $1,854/moState: $1,669
- Homeowners
- 54.1%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 40.8%
- Average commute
- 26 min
Is Fort Lauderdale a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 11% higher than the Florida median; an average commute of 26 minutes.
Cons: Home values 36% higher than the state median; unemployment of 5.3%; a poverty rate of 15%.
The weather is best in December to March.
Cost of living in Fort Lauderdale
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Fort Lauderdale the median home value is $486,700, 46% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,854 per month, which is 34.6% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,679 a month in housing costs.
Fort Lauderdale median household income
The median household income in Fort Lauderdale is $83,130 and the income per person is $59,629. 15% of residents live below the poverty line (Florida: 12.6%).
Housing in Fort Lauderdale: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 101,691
- Owner-occupied
- 54.1%
- Renter-occupied
- 45.9%
- Vacant
- 20.3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1973
- Average household size
- 2.25
Fort Lauderdale demographics
- Population
- 185,604
- Median age
- 42.8
- Under 18
- 17.3%
- 65 and older
- 19.6%
- Households
- 80,999
- Foreign-born
- 27%
- Veterans
- 4.3%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Fort Lauderdale ›
Education in Fort Lauderdale
40.8% of adults 25 and older in Fort Lauderdale have a bachelor's degree or higher (Florida: 34.1%), and 16.2% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Fort Lauderdale
- Unemployment rate
- 5.3%State: 4.8%
- Average commute
- 26 minState: 28 min
- Work from home
- 19%
- Drive alone
- 64.4%
- Public transit
- 2.4%
- Walk to work
- 2.4%
- Homes with broadband
- 91.8%
Fort Lauderdale vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Lauderdale | 185,604 | $83,130 | $486,700 | $1,854 |
| Wilton Manors | 11,511 | $85,392 | $589,200 | $1,871 |
| Franklin Park | 1,688 | $38,333 | — | $1,233 |
| Roosevelt Gardens | 3,031 | $49,821 | $309,600 | $1,355 |
| Washington Park | 2,402 | $61,200 | $317,500 | $2,082 |
| Boulevard Gardens | 1,499 | $70,458 | $252,900 | — |
| Oakland Park | 44,682 | $72,708 | $385,000 | $1,804 |
| Lauderdale Lakes | 36,404 | $50,006 | $214,100 | $1,663 |
| Lauderdale-by-the-Sea | 6,232 | $81,655 | $680,900 | $1,787 |
More for people moving to Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Fort Lauderdale: FAQ
What is the median household income in Fort Lauderdale, FL?
The median household income in Fort Lauderdale is $83,130, 11% higher than the Florida median of $74,568 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Fort Lauderdale?
The median home value in Fort Lauderdale is $486,700, compared with $359,000 in Florida.
How much is rent in Fort Lauderdale?
The median gross rent in Fort Lauderdale is $1,854 per month, about 34.6% of household income.
Is Fort Lauderdale, FL a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 11% higher than the Florida median; an average commute of 26 minutes. Minuses: home values 36% higher than the state median; unemployment of 5.3%; a poverty rate of 15%.
What is the median age in Fort Lauderdale?
The median age in Fort Lauderdale is 42.8 years (Florida: 42.6).
How long is the commute in Fort Lauderdale?
The average commute to work in Fort Lauderdale is 26 minutes; 19% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Fort Lauderdale?
The unemployment rate in Fort Lauderdale is 5.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Fort Lauderdale?
40.8% of adults in Fort Lauderdale have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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