Tempe vs Fort Lauderdale: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Tempe, AZ and Fort Lauderdale, FL, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Fort Lauderdale, FL |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 181,005 | 182,673 |
| Median household income | $72,022 | $75,376 |
| Median home value | $382,100 | $417,600 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,472 | $1,627 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Tempe, AZ and Fort Lauderdale, FL comes down to what you value most. Tempe has the lower median home value, and Tempe has the lower median rent.
Fort Lauderdale has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Tempe or Fort Lauderdale?
- By median home value, Tempe is the cheaper of the two ($382,100 vs $417,600). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Tempe or Fort Lauderdale?
- Median household income is $72,022 in Tempe versus $75,376 in Fort Lauderdale, per the US Census Bureau.