CostIndexUSA

Denver, CO vs Fort Lauderdale, FL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableCO
Denver
105.8
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
FL
Fort Lauderdale
114.2
overall index
$2,650/mo rent

Denver is moderately cheaper than Fort Lauderdale — 7.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Denver, you would need $86,400 in Fort Lauderdale. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+5.9%
Denver
146.9
Fort Lauderdale
155.6
🛒 Groceries+2.6%
Denver
101
Fort Lauderdale
103.6
🚗 Transportation+9.8%
Denver
104.4
Fort Lauderdale
114.6
🏥 Healthcare+9.7%
Denver
94.5
Fort Lauderdale
103.7
Utilities+10.6%
Denver
87.9
Fort Lauderdale
97.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Fort Lauderdale, FL
$86,400
$6,400 more needed in Fort Lauderdale

Formula: salary × (114.2 ÷ 105.8) = salary × 1.0794. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Denver, CO

Median Home Price
$559,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
146.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
25.2×

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 5.9% higher housing costs compared to Denver.

Income & Job Market

Denver, CO

Median Household Income
$103,100
Per Capita Income
$58,800
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
715,522
Top Industries
TechnologyAerospaceEnergyHealthcareTourism

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).

Denver, CO
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.