Fort Lauderdale vs Huntsville: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Fort Lauderdale, Florida compare to Huntsville, Alabama? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Huntsville is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 77% higher in Fort Lauderdale compared to Huntsville, while rent is 60% higher. FL has no state income tax.
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Huntsville, AL | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $417,600 | $236,300 | +76.7% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,627 | $1,020 | +59.5% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $75,376 | $67,874 | +11.1% |
| Per Capita Income | $55,060 | $43,202 | +27.4% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | None | 5.0% | -100.0% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 7.0% | 9.2% | -24.0% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 182,673 | 215,025 | -15.0% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Fort Lauderdale
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Huntsville
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Fort Lauderdale costs $417,600 compared to $236,300 in Huntsville — a 77% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,627/mo in Fort Lauderdale vs $1,020/mo in Huntsville.
- Income: Median household income is $75,376 in Fort Lauderdale and $67,874 in Huntsville.
- Taxes: Florida has no state income tax, while Alabama has a 5% rate.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).