CostIndexUSA

Baltimore, MD vs Fort Lauderdale, FL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMD
Baltimore
104.5
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
FL
Fort Lauderdale
114.2
overall index
$2,650/mo rent

Baltimore is moderately cheaper than Fort Lauderdale — 9.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Baltimore, you would need $87,400 in Fort Lauderdale. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+31.6%
Baltimore
118.2
Fort Lauderdale
155.6
🛒 Groceries+1.2%
Baltimore
102.4
Fort Lauderdale
103.6
🚗 Transportation+7.5%
Baltimore
106.6
Fort Lauderdale
114.6
🏥 Healthcare+7.6%
Baltimore
96.4
Fort Lauderdale
103.7
Utilities11.8%
Baltimore
110.2
Fort Lauderdale
97.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Baltimore to see what you'd need to earn in Fort Lauderdale to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Fort Lauderdale, FL
$87,400
$7,400 more needed in Fort Lauderdale

Formula: salary × (114.2 ÷ 104.5) = salary × 1.0928. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Baltimore, MD

Median Home Price
$391,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
118.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.6×

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Median Home Price
$467,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,650
Housing Index
155.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.7×

Fort Lauderdale has 31.6% higher housing costs compared to Baltimore.

Income & Job Market

Baltimore, MD

Median Household Income
$94,300
Per Capita Income
$53,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
585,708
Top Industries
HealthcareGovernmentFinanceEducationManufacturing

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Median Household Income
$76,300
Per Capita Income
$43,500
Unemployment Rate
4.1%
Population
182,760
Top Industries
FinanceTourismHealthcareReal EstateMarine

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Baltimore, MD
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Fort Lauderdale, FL
2.4×income-to-rent ratio

58% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.