What’s the cost of living in Fort Lauderdale
Many factors have an impact on where you are going to live. Usually, the biggest factor is the cost of living. Florida is known for being among the most affordable states for living. Of course, the cost of living will be different from city to city. But the general rule is that bigger cities are more expensive for living in than smaller ones. There are exceptions to every rule and one of the most expensive places for living in Florida is Palm Beach with a population of less than 10 000. Now, the most populous area in Florida is Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale is one of the most popular cities for moving into with Pro Movers Miami. For this reason, if you are planning to move there, here is what’s the cost of living in Fort Lauderdale.
How much is the cost of living in Fort Lauderdale?
Fort Lauderdale is a coastal city located about 40 miles from Miami. Additionally, it’s a part of Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach which has a population of more than 6 million. Fort Lauderdale is not a big city and it has a population of more than 150 000. However, it’s a very popular tourist place and the city carries the nickname “Venice of America” for its similarity with Venice. Aside from being a popular tourist place, Fort Lauderdale also has a thriving economy thanks to many businesses such as finance, real estate, film, television production, etc. For this reason, Fort Lauderdale has one of the highest costs of living in Florida. According to some calculations, Fort Lauderdale’s cost of living is about 37% higher than the national average which makes it the 7th most expensive city in Florida. However, moving here with movers in Fort Lauderdale is still popular.
How much does it cost to rent or buy a home in Fort Lauderdale?
Before you move to Fort Lauderdale with long distance movers Florida, you need to either buy or rent a home. Home prices in Fort Lauderdale have increased in recent years just like everywhere in the world. The median home price is around $330 000. However, the price will depend on location, size, etc. Homes located on the coastline will be a lot pricier. For this reason, home prices can go from $300,000 to $1.5 million. There are a couple of home options in Fort Lauderdale such as townhouses, single-family homes, and condos. The rent prices are more affordable than in Miami. The median rent price for a one-bedroom apartment is around $1500, while the rent for a two-bedroom apartment is around $1700. There is currently an increase in rent prices in Fort Lauderdale, but it’s still not as big as in other parts of Florida.
What is the cost of utilities and groceries in Fort Lauderdale?
The cost of utilities will depend on the season, the size of your home, and other factors. The basic utilities in Fort Lauderdale are electricity, cooling, heating, water, and garbage. For example, the average cost of utilities for a two-bedroom apartment is around $110. However, summers are usually very hot and humid and you will have to turn on AC. Additionally, you need to calculate the price of internet, cable tv, etc. Therefore, you should save some money before you move to Fort Lauderdale with white glove movers Miami. It’s hard to say how much you will spend on groceries every month. It all depends on your lifestyle, how big your family is, etc. If you plan to eat in restaurants, it will cost you about $40 a day. The better option is to eat at home.
How much will you spend on transportation?
As Fort Lauderdale is a famous touristic place, public transportation must be top-notch. There are a couple of options for public transportation in Fort Lauderdale such as Amtrak, Broward County, Transit (BCT), Brightline, B-Cycle/AvMed Rides, Carpool, Community Shuttle, Tri-Rail, and Water Taxi. The average adult without a family spends about $450 a month on public transportation. Also, owning a car in Fort Lauderdale is not as expensive as in other places. The gas prices are lower than the national ones and you will pay about $3.70 per gallon. If want to save money, you can always ride a bike or go everywhere on foot. Additionally, Florida has no state income tax which makes Fort Lauderdale a very attractive place for living. Of course, Florida has some taxes you will have to pay such as property taxes, sales taxes on cars, etc.
How much do you have to earn to live comfortably in Fort Lauderdale?
If you have a good salary, every city is affordable for you. Additionally, how much money you will need for comfortable life will depend on your lifestyle. The average salary in Fort Lauderdale is around $57,000 per year. It’s higher than $48 000 which is the average salary in Florida but less than Miami’s average of $68 000. However, no matter how much you earn, you shouldn’t spend more than 30% of your salary on rent. Fort Lauderdale has a growing job market and the unemployment rate is lower than the national one. You can find a lot of different job openings in Fort Lauderdale. Most jobs are to some degree connected with tourism. The jobs with the best salaries in Fort Lauderdale are the following:
- Mechanical engineer
- Accountant
- Paralegal
- Registered nurse
- Web developer
Where to live in Fort Lauderdale?
Now, when you know the cost of living in Fort Lauderdale, you should choose the best neighborhood for you. Fort Lauderdale has over 60 registered neighborhoods. Some of the best ones are Colee Hammock, Victoria Park, Harbor Beach, Tarpon River, Coral Ridge, Las Olas Isles, etc. The living costs will differ from neighborhood to neighborhood. For example, Harbor Beach is a very expensive neighborhood as its a guarded gate community with a private beach club and marina. On the other hand, Tarpon River is one of the more affordable neighborhoods with the median home price around $250 000. So, there are a lot of good options for you and your family in Fort Lauderdale.