Miami vs. Fort Lauderdale: Find Your Place Beneath the Florida Sun

Many renters dream of settling down in Florida, with Miami and Fort Lauderdale often topping the list. Both of these cities offer the quintessential Sunshine State experience. However, they slightly differ in terms of cost, lifestyle, and other important renting factors.

If you’re torn between renting in Miami vs. Fort Lauderdale, we’re here to guide you. In this article, we’ll break down the differences between the Miami and Fort Lauderdale rental landscapes to help you decide which city best suits your needs and lifestyle. Here’s a preview of what we’ll cover:

• Cost of living in Miami vs. Fort Lauderdale
• Miami lifestyle vs. Fort Lauderdale lifestyle
• Job and career opportunities in Miami vs. Fort Lauderdale
• Miami transportation vs. Fort Lauderdale transportation
• Culture and community in Miami vs. Fort Lauderdale

Cost of Living

The cost of living should be a top priority when choosing where to move, particularly if you're considering pricey cities like Miami or Fort Lauderdale. While both options boast higher rents than the national average, one might better suit your budget based on other external factors.

Here’s a breakdown of the cost of living in Miami vs. Fort Lauderdale:

Accounting for all the living costs above, we can conclude that Fort Lauderdale is slightly more expensive than Miami. The cost of living in Fort Lauderdale is 0.9% higher than the cost of living in Miami. However, these numbers may vary depending on individual spending habits and lifestyle choices.

For more information on cost comparisons between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, use our Cost of Living Calculator to determine the most accurate estimate for your specific needs and budget.

Lifestyle and Demographics

Next, let’s talk about lifestyle and demographics. Being that both of these cities are in Florida, you’ll see no shortage of beaches and sunshine-loving residents. However, living a “beach lifestyle” can have different variations, particularly among the contrasting demographics of these two cities.

Living the Fort Lauderdale lifestyle

Nicknamed the “Venice of America,” Fort Lauderdale is somewhere you can be in vacation mode 24/7. The lifestyle here is very relaxed, laid-back, and catered to those who value a slower pace. Most of the action in Fort Lauderdale lies in its boating and outdoor scene. Rather than having a night out on the town, residents get their fix from cruising through the city’s tranquil waterways and relaxing on private docks. However, that’s not to say Fort Lauderdale doesn’t have its fair share of waterfront restaurants, bars, and lounges. While they might not be your average nightclub with live music, they’re great for a laid-back evening with stunning views.

Living the Miami lifestyle

Compared to Fort Lauderdale, Miami fosters a much faster-paced, cosmopolitan vibe. While it too has stunning beaches and coastlines, it’s defined by its bustling urban core filled with skyscrapers, lively streets, and a dynamic cultural scene. Here, you’ll also find residents out on the water and relaxing on the beach. However, when time for R&R is over, you’ll likely find those same people ending their days at the nearest nightclub or upscale restaurant.

So, if you’re looking for a more diverse living experience, full of equal parts relaxation and equal parts thrill, Miami might be your perfect match. However, if a slower-paced, quieter life is more your speed, Fort Lauderdale could be a better choice. Both cities offer unique versions of the Florida beach lifestyle—picking the right one depends on what pace resonates best with you.

Job and Career Opportunities

Our third item of discussion is jobs and employment opportunities. Both Miami and Fort Lauderdale foster a robust job market with diverse opportunities. However, you might find that one better suits the scale or scope of your next career move.

About the Miami job market

• Top employment sectors: international trade, finance, tourism, technology
• Notable companies headquartered in Miami: Carnival Cruise Line, Lennar Corporation, World Fuel Services, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Burger King, Costa Farms

Because of its unique geographic and demographic position, much of Miami’s economy is fueled by its connections to Latin America and the Caribbean. It’s considered the sixth-best place in the US for foreign businesses, especially those of Hispanic heritage, according to the Miami-Dade Beacon Council. The city hosts Latin American branches for 1,200 multinational corporations and was named the 5^th best city to start a career in 2025 by WalletHub.

About the Fort Lauderdale job market

• Top employment sectors: healthcare, tourism, maritime and marine industries, real estate
• Notable companies headquartered in Fort Lauderdale: Broward Health, Spirit Airlines, Seabulk International, AutoNation, Nova Southeastern University

While Fort Lauderdale also has a strong job market, it’s not on the same scale as Miami. Fort Lauderdale caters to more niche career fields, such as the maritime and marine industries, for example. The city serves as a major hub for naval architecture, marine tourism management, and marine technology development. It’s somewhere that, unlike big metros like Miami or New York City, having a career isn’t all about the hustle. Rather, it’s about making a living and maintaining a balanced lifestyle.

Transportation and Accessibility

Another important thing to consider is transportation and accessibility. If you’re someone who travels a lot, you likely will want to live somewhere that is easy to get to and from. Luckily, both Miami and Fort Lauderdale offer various transportation options.

Getting around Miami

Whether by plane, train, or automobile, traveling in Miami is relatively simple. If you’re traveling throughout the city, you can use a car, a rideshare service, or one of Miami’s efficient public transport options. Visit popular neighborhoods like Coconut Grove or Wynwood on a local trolley, or hop on the Metromover and arrive at local landmarks like Bayfront Park or the Kaseya Center.

If you want to explore other Florida cities, Miami has the Tri-Rail, which will take you to Fort Lauderdale or West Palm Beach, and the Brightline, which travels to Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Orlando. For out-of-state trips, enjoy easy access to the Miami International Airport, just seven miles west of Downtown Miami.

Getting around Fort Lauderdale

Because of its extensive network of waterways, Fort Lauderdale offers some unique transportation methods. Residents can get around the city using water taxis, which have 14 different stops along the Intracoastal and downtown’s New River. Or, for shorter trips around town, they can travel by rental bike, commuter bus, or hop on one of the city’s Sun Trolleys, which offer stops downtown and along the beach.

Traveling to other parts of Florida is easy with access to the Brightline train system, and cross-country trips are possible through the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Residents can also travel 30 miles south to the Miami airport or 45 miles north to the Palm Beach International Airport as well.

Culture and Community

Miami and Fort Lauderdale each epitomize Sunshine State living. From taking beachside afternoon meetings to wearing sunglasses year-round, both cities are deeply shaped by their tropical climate and relaxed lifestyle. However, their cultural identities extend far beyond just beach allure.

Fort Lauderdale culture and community

While mainly recognized for its waterways, Fort Lauderdale also boasts a unique culture rich with art, music, dining, and more. Greater Fort Lauderdale has traditional museums and historic estates, including the famous Bonnet House Museum and Gardens, which spans 35 acres of tropical landscape. It is also home to one of the state’s best contemporary art museums, the NSU Art Museum, which houses over 7,000 pieces of Latinx, Black, and female artists.

Miami culture and community

Miami stands as a dynamic cultural center, deeply influenced by Latin American and Caribbean heritage. This is evident in the city’s food, music, and art scene. A visit to Little Havana offers a taste of Cuba with its historic landmarks and authentic Cuban cuisine, while nearby Little Haiti bursts with life through its vibrant Haitian art, colorful festivals, and mouthwatering Caribbean dishes. Together, these neighborhoods exemplify Miami’s diversity and creative spirit, making it a true cultural gem.

Explore Apartments for Rent in Florida on Apartments.com

Are you ready to find your own slice of paradise in Florida? Explore apartments for rent in Miami or Fort Lauderdale right here on Apartments.com! Whether you’re drawn to the urban hustle of Miami or the relaxed feel of Fort Lauderdale, we have endless options for you to explore in the coveted Sunshine State.

Use the advanced search tools on Apartments.com to filter through Miami and Fort Lauderdale listings. Narrow down your options by price, location, and desired amenities, and you’re one step closer to finding your perfect Florida home! Search today on Apartments.com and get your endless summer vacation started in Miami or Fort Lauderdale.