Your Complete Relocation Guide To Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Fort Lauderdale (a.k.a. the “Venice of America”) offers you year-round sunshine, 165 miles of navigable waterways, a booming hospitality scene, and economic powerhouses like Port Everglades and Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport.

If you’re thinking of a move here, this guide has everything you need to know: cost of living, jobs, schools, neighborhoods, crime & safety, transportation, and practical tips.

Fort Lauderdale at a Glance

• Metro job market: Unemployment is around 3.2% (Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach MSA), with employment up around 42,600 year-over-year as of June 2025.
• Major industries: port and logistics, tourism/hospitality, aviation/aerospace, finance, healthcare, tech/SaaS, and corporate headquarters (e.g., AutoNation, with its corporate headquarters in Fort Lauderdale).
• Taxes: No state income tax; sales tax is generally 7% in Broward County (6% state + 1% local surtax).
• Rail connectivity: Brightline’s high-speed rail links Fort Lauderdale with Miami, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, and Orlando; Miami is approximately 40 minutes away.

You may also like to read: The Life-Changing Benefits of Moving Home. In this guide, we look at 10 life-changing benefits when you move to a new place.

Cost of Living

Housing

• Buying: Zillow’s “typical home value” for Fort Lauderdale hovers around the mid-$600Ks citywide, but neighborhood medians vary widely and waterfront premiums apply.
• Renting: Median 1-bedroom rent is around the low-to-mid $2,000s per month, depending on the exact neighborhood and amenities.
• Tip: If you want walkability near restaurants and nightlife, expect higher prices in Las Olas Isles, Rio Vista, and Flagler Village, with more moderate prices as you move west from the beach.

Insurance (This is Important)

• Homeowners insurance is a major Florida budget item. As of August 2025, Bankrate estimates an average annual premium in Fort Lauderdale of $10,537 for a home insured at $300,000, well above U.S. norms, so ensure that you budget accordingly.

Utilities & Everyday Costs

• Electricity (a hot/humid climate needs A/C) and storm prep can push utilities above what you’d pay in many temperate states.
• Groceries, dining out, and services generally track other big Florida metros; Numbeo pegs Fort Lauderdale’s cost basket similar to Miami but lower than NYC/L.A.

Taxes

• No state income tax keeps net pay competitive for W-2 and remote workers.
• Sales tax: 6% state + 1% Broward surtax = 7% total on most purchases.

Compare the cost of living in Fort Lauderdale with your current city at www.numbeo.com  

You may also want to read: The Pros and Cons of Moving to a Warmer State. If Florida is hotter than your current state, then this guide looks into the pros and cons of moving to a warmer climate.

Job Market & Economy

Greater Fort Lauderdale isn’t just beaches and brunch; it has a robust local economy.

• Port Everglades: Among the world’s busiest cruise ports and a major petroleum/cargo gateway, employing over 200,000 people.
• Top employers & HQs: AutoNation (Fortune 500 HQ), Broward Health, aviation/aerospace firms, financial services, and growing tech outfits.
• The Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance highlights target clusters across aviation, life sciences, fintech, logistics, and more.
• Labor market: Metro unemployment is near 3.2% with steady job gains across leisure & hospitality, trade/transportation/utilities, and professional services.
• Commuting patterns: Many professionals live in Fort Lauderdale and commute along the I-95/US-1 corridor, or skip traffic via Brightline (to Miami in around 40 minutes) or Tri-Rail (commuter rail with free station parking).

Browse the latest job offerings in Fort Lauderdale at www.indeed.com  

You may also like to read: The Pros and Cons of Moving for Work. In this guide, we take an in-depth look at whether it is a good idea to move for a job.

Best Neighborhoods

The best neighborhood to live in obviously depends on your preferences and lifestyle. But these are the places that get mentioned the most as great places to live.

• Rio Vista – Historic single-family homes, shady streets, quick access to Las Olas and downtown. But with the strong curb appeal comes high prices.
• Victoria Park – Mix of charming bungalows, townhomes, and new builds. There are plenty of parks, and all your everyday needs are easily accessible.
• Coral Ridge & Bayview – East-side suburbia with good access to beaches and boating. But expect to pay a premium.
• Las Olas Isles & Seven Isles – Luxury waterfront living with deepwater dockage.
• Flagler Village – Urban revival area north of downtown. With mid/high-rise rentals, breweries, art, and walkable cafes and restaurants, it is popular with young professionals.
• Sailboat Bend & Tarpon River – Residential pockets near downtown/riverwalk with character homes and townhomes offering good location value relative to the Isles.

Read what the locals have to say about their neighborhood in Fort Lauderdale at www.niche.com 

You may also like to read: How to Choose a New Neighborhood. In this guide, we suggest the things to take into consideration when deciding on a new neighborhood in which to live.

Schools in Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale is served by Broward County Public Schools (BCPS), one of the largest districts in the U.S., with magnet programs (Cambridge AICE, IB, arts/STEM) and widespread AP/Dual Enrollment options.

Public & Magnet Highlights (in or near Fort Lauderdale)

• Fort Lauderdale High School – Cambridge AICE magnet plus Pre-Law; US News ranks it nationally, with robust AP offerings.
• Dillard High School – Magnet for Performing Arts and Emerging Computer Technology.
• District programs – BCPS offers AICE, IB, AP, and Dual Enrollment (with Broward College, UF, FIU, FAU, Embry-Riddle).
• For countywide rankings and comparisons, start with U.S. News’s Broward district pages and then drill into individual schools.

Private Schools (Fort Lauderdale proper)

• Pine Crest School – A perennial powerhouse (PK–12), top-10 statewide in several 2025 Niche categories (STEM, college prep, K-12).
• St. Thomas Aquinas High School – A+ overall on Niche; nationally known academics and athletics; #3 Best Catholic High School in Florida (2025).
• Admissions are competitive, so apply early and budget for tuition and commuting costs.

Browse School Report Cards for Fort Lauderdale at www.browardschools.com 

You may also like to read: How to Choose a New School. In this guide, we suggest things to take into consideration when choosing a school after moving home.

Crime & Safety

Like any mid-sized coastal city, Fort Lauderdale has micro-hotspots and calmer residential pockets. Use official sources and look block-by-block when you shop.

• The Fort Lauderdale Police Department publishes city crime statistics and dashboards, which you can use for up-to-date local trends before choosing a street.
• The FBI Crime Data Explorer remains the national standard for comparable violent/property crime rates across jurisdictions (lagging by a year or so). Check Fort Lauderdale city entries and compare nearby cities for context.

You can read the latest FBI CDE reports at www.cde.ucr.cjis.gov 

You may also like to read: Moving to a New City Alone. In this guide, we look at the challenges and solutions of moving to a new city on your own.

Getting Around

• Brightline: Downtown-to-downtown rail service. Miami to Fort Lauderdale is about 40 minutes, with through-service to Orlando. Great for reverse commutes, events, and airport hops.
• Tri-Rail: Budget-friendly commuter rail with free station parking (Fort Lauderdale & FLL Airport stations). Connects north to Palm Beach and south toward Miami.
• Air & Sea: FLL is minutes from downtown; Port Everglades moves millions of cruise passengers and vital cargo. Both are major employers and are convenient for frequent flyers/cruisers.

Read more about public transportation in Fort Lauderdale at www.fortlauderdale.gov  

Climate Change

Fort Lauderdale’s paradise lifestyle comes with a growing caveat: climate change is already reshaping the city, and those effects will intensify over the next few decades.

If you’re moving here, it makes sense to consider both the risks and the ways the city is adapting.

Sea-Level Rise & Flooding

High-tide flooding already affects low-lying coastal neighborhoods in Fort Lauderdale. With sea levels projected to rise 10–17 inches by 2040 in South Florida, flood frequency will increase, especially in Barrier Island and canal-adjacent areas.

The city has invested in tidal valves, seawall upgrades, and stormwater pumps to reduce flooding, but property owners are often responsible for elevating seawalls and implementing drainage improvements.

Hurricanes & Extreme Weather

Warmer ocean waters increase the risk of more intense hurricanes. Fort Lauderdale, like the rest of coastal Florida, faces storm surge as its greatest hurricane danger.

Building codes have strengthened, but insurance costs reflect the rising risk. Budgeting for storm prep, shutters/generators, and evacuation plans is essential.

Heat & Health

South Florida’s average summer highs are climbing. Longer stretches of 90°F+ days with high humidity raise cooling costs and create heat-health risks for outdoor workers and vulnerable residents.

The city is expanding tree canopy and green space to provide shade and reduce the urban heat island effect.

Real Estate & Insurance Impacts

Flood zone maps (FEMA) determine both insurance requirements and resale value. Properties in zones AE or VE may require flood insurance, which is getting costlier as risk modeling improves.

Buyers are increasingly factoring in elevation, seawall condition, and drainage systems before purchasing.

Long-term, climate resilience features (impact glass, elevated construction, generators, pumps) are becoming selling points.

Adaptation & Resilience Planning

Fort Lauderdale is part of the Southeast Florida Climate Compact, a four-county collaboration on sea-level rise planning, infrastructure upgrades, and policy alignment. This means new residents can expect ongoing stormwater fee adjustments, infrastructure bonds, and neighborhood-level resilience projects aimed at keeping the city livable.

Climate change won’t stop people from moving to Fort Lauderdale, but it makes neighborhood due diligence, insurance planning, and property upgrades essential for new homeowners. Moving inland or choosing higher-elevation areas can help reduce long-term exposure.

View the climate change hazard ratings for Fort Lauderdale at www.climatecheck.com   

You may also like to read: Climate Migration. In this guide, we look at how climate change is affecting the US and things to take into consideration when choosing a new place to live.

Lifestyle Pros & Cons

Pros

• Tropical climate and beach/waterway access (boating, diving, paddle-everything).
• Strong job base for a lifestyle city: port/airport/logistics, hospitality, and corporate HQs.
• No state income tax; fast regional rail to Miami/Orlando.

Cons

• Insurance costs and hurricane prep raise the baseline cost of living.
• Seasonal traffic and surge pricing in peak tourism months.
• Neighborhood-level crime variation—due diligence is a must.

You may also like to read: The Pros and Cons of Moving to Florida. In this guide, we take a deeper look at the pros and cons of the state that everybody wants to move to.

Fort Lauderdale Moving Checklist

• Budget realistically: Mortgage/rent + homeowners/condo or renters insurance + utilities + parking + HOA/condo fees.
• Narrow neighborhoods by lifestyle, then confirm flood zone, wind mitigation, and insurance quote before offering.
• Compare commute options: Brightline vs. driving vs. Tri-Rail; test at rush hour.
• School planning: If public, confirm your exact BCPS zone and magnet timelines. If private, get on the tour/aid lists early.
• Safety due diligence: Read recent FLPD reports and FBI CDE data for your specific area.
• Establish tax residency: Update license/registration, voter registration, and understand Florida’s homestead protections and sales tax.

FAQ

Is Fort Lauderdale expensive?

Housing and insurance push costs above national averages, but everyday spending is comparable to other big Florida metros. Shop neighborhoods and get insurance quotes early.

Where do young professionals live?

Flagler Village for an urban vibe; Victoria Park and Tarpon River for tree-lined streets near downtown; Las Olas Isles if your budget allows waterfront living.

How’s the job market?

Low unemployment, growing employment opportunities, and diverse sectors. Especially port/airport logistics, hospitality, finance, healthcare, and HQ roles.

Are there good schools?

Yes, BCPS offers AICE/IB/AP magnets (e.g., Fort Lauderdale High, Dillard), plus respected privates like Pine Crest and St. Thomas Aquinas. Visit and apply early.

You may also like to read: What to do When You Want to Move but Your Partner Says No. In this guide, we look at this common scenario and suggest ways that you can resolve this dilemma.

Should I Move to Fort Lauderdale?

If you want coastal living with real economic depth, Fort Lauderdale delivers, so long as you plan for insurance/weather risk and pick the right neighborhood.

Start with neighborhoods that fit your lifestyle, run the numbers with taxes and insurance, verify schools & safety, and you’ll be set to enjoy that “work where others vacation” life year-round.

Good luck with your home move, and be sure to visit our home moving blog for guides on how to make every aspect of your move cheaper, easier, and safer.