Cost of Living Comparison Between Fort Lauderdale, FL and Upper Marlboro, MD Cost of Living Comparison Between Fort Lauderdale, FL and Upper Marlboro, MD

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,290 per month in Fort Lauderdale, FL vs $2,507 in Upper Marlboro, MD, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,092 per month in Fort Lauderdale, FL vs $3,890 in Upper Marlboro, MD, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,894 per month in Fort Lauderdale, FL vs $5,273 in Upper Marlboro, MD, rent included.

Fort Lauderdale, FL costs about 31% more than Upper Marlboro, MD, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Fort Lauderdale, FL and Upper Marlboro, MD sit above the global median – Fort Lauderdale, FL by 145%, Upper Marlboro, MD by 87%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.86 $20.86

$19.87 $19.87

4.98%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$109 $109

$81.1 $81.1

34.07%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.64 $10.64

$12.01 $12.01

-11.41%

Cappuccino

$4.85 $4.85

$5.62 $5.62

-13.70%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.69 $2.69

$2.76 $2.76

-2.54%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.09 $2.09

$2.32 $2.32

-9.91%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.01 $6.01

$6.05 $6.05

-0.66%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.53 $6.53

$8.12 $8.12

-19.58%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.97 $0.97

$0.99 $0.99

-2.02%

White Bread (500g)

$4.15 $4.15

$4.43 $4.43

-6.32%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.35 $3.35

$6.07 $6.07

-44.81%

Eggs

$3.83 $3.83

$4.95 $4.95

-22.63%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.76 $11.76

$17.59 $17.59

-33.14%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.39 $9.39

$10.22 $10.22

-8.12%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.94 $18.94

$16.39 $16.39

15.56%

Apples (1kg)

$5.46 $5.46

$5.19 $5.19

5.20%

Banana (1kg)

$1.52 $1.52

$1.83 $1.83

-16.94%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.37 $4.37

$5.08 $5.08

-13.98%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.36 $5.36

$6.59 $6.59

-18.66%

Potato (1kg)

$3.47 $3.47

$3.49 $3.49

-0.57%

Onion (1kg)

$3.47 $3.47

$2.71 $2.71

28.04%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.25 $2.25

$2.23 $2.23

0.90%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.03 $2.03

$2.49 $2.49

-18.47%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.91 $9.91

$10.92 $10.92

-9.25%

Wine (Bottle)

$10.55 $10.55

$14.02 $14.02

-24.75%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.75 $1.75

$2.60 $2.60

-32.69%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.74 $2.74

$4.63 $4.63

-40.82%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.39 $2.39

$2.05 $2.05

16.59%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$71.8 $71.8

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.46 $4.46

$3.88 $3.88

14.95%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.59 $1.59

$1.38 $1.38

15.22%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$21.78 $21.78

$29.86 $29.86

-27.06%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.83 $0.83

$0.96 $0.96

-13.54%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$26.3K $26.3K

$29.4K $29.4K

-10.52%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.1K $25.1K

$25.3K $25.3K

-0.82%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$172 $172

$205 $205

-15.99%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$58.9 $58.9

$63.9 $63.9

-7.77%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$69.4 $69.4

$73.7 $73.7

-5.85%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$74.8 $74.8

$43.26 $43.26

72.95%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.45 $13.45

Cinema Ticket

$14.72 $14.72

$15.17 $15.17

-2.97%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$810 $810

$1,747 $1,747

-53.65%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.9K $15.9K

$23.8K $23.8K

-33.04%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$47.39 $47.39

$52.9 $52.9

-10.33%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$45.53 $45.53

$49.78 $49.78

-8.54%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$89.1 $89.1

$97.0 $97.0

-8.08%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$95.2 $95.2

$145 $145

-34.45%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,298 $2,298

$1,408 $1,408

63.27%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,961 $1,961

$1,155 $1,155

69.78%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,674 $3,674

$2,677 $2,677

37.23%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,627 $3,627

$2,253 $2,253

60.95%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,363 $5,363

$2,319 $2,319

131.28%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$4,159 $4,159

$2,027 $2,027

105.13%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,530 $4,530

$8,058 $8,058

-43.78%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.53

6.48

0.77%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Fort Lauderdale, FL: June 2, 2026

Last update for Upper Marlboro, MD: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,298 in Fort Lauderdale, FL versus $1,408 in Upper Marlboro, MD. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 78% higher in Upper Marlboro, MD, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $109 in Fort Lauderdale, FL versus $81.0 in Upper Marlboro, MD. Groceries tell a different story – $386 in Fort Lauderdale, FL vs $447 in Upper Marlboro, MD – so Fort Lauderdale, FL wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Fort Lauderdale, FL vs Upper Marlboro, MD: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Lauderdale, FL costs about 31% more than Upper Marlboro, MD, with the gap driven mainly by Getting Around. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,934 per month in Fort Lauderdale, FL and $3,760 in Upper Marlboro, MD. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Upper Marlboro, MD, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $109 in Fort Lauderdale, FL and $81.0 in Upper Marlboro, MD. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 16% cheaper in Fort Lauderdale, FL – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,290 in Fort Lauderdale, FL and $2,507 in Upper Marlboro, MD. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

Families tend to lean toward Upper Marlboro, MD – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Upper Marlboro, MD. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Fort Lauderdale, FL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.