2026 Compare Cities Overview:
Fort Lauderdale, FL vs Santa Barbara, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Santa Barbara older or younger than people in Fort Lauderdale?
- The Median Age in Santa Barbara is 3.8 years younger than in Fort Lauderdale.

Are housing costs cheaper in Santa Barbara or Fort Lauderdale?
- Santa Barbara housing costs are 192.8% more expensive than Fort Lauderdale housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Santa Barbara or Fort Lauderdale?
- The average commute for residents of Santa Barbara is 9.3 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Fort Lauderdale.

Things to do in Fort Lauderdale?
Fort Lauderdale, Florida is an exciting destination, boasting beautiful beaches and plenty of attractions. Visitors can explore the Everglades National Park or take a boat ride through Intracoastal Waterway. There's something for everyone - from stunning art galleries and museums to trendy restaurants and nightlife spots. For those who prefer outdoors activities, there's always fishing, surfing, kayaking or paddle boarding nearby. With so much to do and see, Fort Lauderdale makes for an unforgettable experience!

Things to do in Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara, California has something for everyone - from fantastic beaches to world-class shopping and dining experiences. Visitors can explore Old Mission Santa Barbara or take part in various water activities around Stearns Wharf.

 Fort Lauderdale, FLSanta Barbara, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock89,132329,725,481
 Median Income$66,994  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock39.138.4
 Avg. Home Price$521,000  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.1%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time26.43  Unlock26.38
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

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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

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Over 11 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

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Reviews for Santa Barbara    51 Reviews

I moved to Santa Barbara around 23 years ago to study at Brooks, which like most of the Santa Barbara that I knew—has been destroyed. Homelessness, drugs, gangs, high  More

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Over 5 years ago

I fell in love with Santa Barbara about thirty years ago and finally moved here a few years ago. Because of the price of homes, it is an expensive place to live. The  More

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If you like high crime, paying a $4,500 a month mortgage and crazy high taxes, this is the place for you. It’s too bad because it wasn’t always like this. When I moved  More

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