CostIndexUSA

Fort Lauderdale, FL vs Worcester, MA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

FL
Fort Lauderdale
114.2
overall index
$2,650/mo rent
More AffordableMA
Worcester
102.5
overall index
$2,075/mo rent

Worcester is moderately cheaper than Fort Lauderdale — 10.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fort Lauderdale, you would need $71,800 in Worcester. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing27.4%
Fort Lauderdale
155.6
Worcester
113
🛒 Groceries6.4%
Fort Lauderdale
103.6
Worcester
97
🚗 Transportation7.2%
Fort Lauderdale
114.6
Worcester
106.3
🏥 Healthcare7.3%
Fort Lauderdale
103.7
Worcester
96.1
Utilities+59.7%
Fort Lauderdale
97.2
Worcester
155.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Worcester, MA
$71,800
$8,200 less needed in Worcester

Formula: salary × (102.5 ÷ 114.2) = salary × 0.8975. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Fort Lauderdale, FL

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

Worcester, MA

Median Home Price
$461,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,075
Housing Index
113
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Fort Lauderdale has 27.4% lower housing costs compared to Worcester.

Income & Job Market

Fort Lauderdale, FL

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

Worcester, MA

Median Household Income
$94,100
Per Capita Income
$53,600
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
206,518
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingFinanceTechnology

Affordability at a Glance

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

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

58% of income left after rent (median)

Worcester, MA
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% 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.