2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Fort Lauderdale, FL vs San Mateo, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in San Mateo or is it cheaper to live in Fort Lauderdale?
- San Mateo is 126.2% more expensive than Fort Lauderdale.

Which city has more affordable housing, San Mateo or Fort Lauderdale?
- San Mateo housing costs are 297.3% more expensive than Fort Lauderdale housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Fort Lauderdale or is Health Care more affordable in San Mateo.
- Health related expenses are 18.3% more in San Mateo.
 Fort Lauderdale, FLSan Mateo, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock250.0100
 Food & Groceries107.6  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock117.4100
 Housing135.3  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,378,900$338,100
 Utilities96  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock143.4100
 Miscellaneous107.6  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Fort Lauderdale    64 Reviews

Fort Lauderdale and South Florida are eclectic, which makes for a tough adjustment if you're from a homogenous area. The secret is to find the location of all the things  More

   |    Reply

Like any city, Fort Lauderdale has it's good points and it's bad. On the good side you can't beat the weather here, especially October to June. No snow and no winter  More

   |    Reply

Over 10 years ago

My husband I are are from Illinois and Indiana. We moved here five years ago and we still HATE it! In the Midwest people are friendly and care about others. I can't  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Fort Lauderdale

Reviews for San Mateo    12 Reviews

I have lived in San Mateo since 2013. It has seen tremendous growth, lots of new restaurants which have become progressively more high-end though there is ample  More

   |    Reply

I'm a native of California. I have lived in the southern part of the state and the northern part of the state for most of my life. I have spent the last 29 years in  More

   |    Reply

Over 15 years ago

San Mateo has a diverse mix of people, a pleasant climate, a very pleasant downtown park with lots going on, and pretty much whatever you need handy. It's not far to  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of San Mateo


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.