Lauderhill, FL: 2026 Relocation Deep Dive

Lauderhill: The Data Profile (2026)

Lauderhill presents a distinct economic profile characterized by a significant disparity between local income levels and national averages. The city supports a population of 73,986, classifying it as a smaller urban center within the broader Broward County metro area.

The primary economic constraint for the statistical resident is the Median Income of $45,454, which sits -39.1% below the US average of $74,580. This income deficit is partially offset by a lower cost of living index, yet it creates a specific demographic target. The educational attainment rate is notably low, with only 17.2% of residents holding a college degree, significantly trailing the US average of 33.1%.

Statistical Target Demographic:
The ideal relocation candidate for Lauderhill in the post-remote work era is a hybrid or fully remote professional earning a salary competitive with national metrics rather than local ones. This profile leverages the -2.0% housing cost advantage while bypassing the local income ceiling. Additionally, the city targets retirees and service-sector workers seeking proximity to the Fort Lauderdale area without the premium price tag of neighboring zip codes.

Cost of Living Analysis

The Cost of Living (COL) index in Lauderhill averages 97.2 (weighted average of provided indices), indicating a marginal savings of 2.8% compared to the national baseline. However, the specific line items reveal a more nuanced financial reality.

Table 1: Cost of Living Breakdown (Monthly Budgets)

Disposable Income Analysis:
The critical financial friction point is the $45,454 median income. For a single earner, this translates to approximately $3,788 monthly take-home pay after standard deductions. This leaves a disposable income buffer of only $372 per month based on the single-earner budget in Table 1. This razor-thin margin indicates that Lauderhill is statistically unaffordable for the median local earner without a second income or significant savings.

Housing Market Deep Dive

The housing market is the city's strongest value proposition. While the median income is suppressed, asset prices have not fully decoupled from the regional premium, creating a relative discount for buyers with external capital.

Table 2: Housing Market Data (Buying vs Renting Analysis)

Buy vs. Rent Analysis:
Given the -18.7% discount on median home prices relative to the US average, buying is mathematically advantageous for those with stable remote employment. The monthly mortgage payment on a median home (assuming 20% down and 6.5% interest) is roughly $1,700, which is comparable to renting a 3-bedroom unit. However, for the local median earner, the $335,000 price point represents a price-to-income ratio of 7.4x, far exceeding the healthy benchmark of 3.0x. Renting remains the only viable option for the local workforce.

Economic & Job Market Outlook

The economic landscape in Lauderhill is defined by the "Post-Remote" reality. The local economy is largely insulated from the volatility of the service sector due to the high percentage of remote workers who choose Lauderhill for affordability.

RTO Impact & Commute:
With 17.2% college education, the local workforce is less concentrated in high-remoteability sectors compared to tech hubs. However, for the ~40% of the workforce that does commute, the average travel time to the central business districts of Fort Lauderdale or Miami is 35-45 minutes against traffic. Return-to-Office (RTO) mandates pose a risk to the city's growth, as commuting costs (Transportation Index: 95.6) eat into the housing savings.

Unemployment Rate:
The unemployment rate stands at 4.2%, which is statistically on par with the national average of 4.0%. This suggests a stable, albeit stagnant, local job market. There is a lack of high-growth industry within city limits, reinforcing the necessity of external income sources for wealth accumulation.

Quality of Life Audit

Lauderhill offers a "Good" aggregate health score but masks significant lifestyle risk factors. The air quality is pristine, but chronic health conditions are well above national averages.

Table 3: Quality of Life Metrics

Safety Analysis:
Lauderhill reports a Violent Crime rate of 380 per 100k residents, exactly matching the US average. Property Crime is notably lower at 1,845 per 100k, sitting 8% below the national average of 2,000. Statistically, the city is as safe as the typical American city regarding violent incidents and safer regarding property theft.

Air Quality & Environment:
The environmental quality is a major asset. With an AQI of 38 and PM2.5 levels of 4.5 µg/m³ (less than half the US average), Lauderhill offers exceptionally clean air, contributing to the 75.7 health score despite lifestyle risks.

Schools and Weather:
The weather today is 70.0°F with a high of 80°F, typical of the subtropical climate. However, the "Health Score" of 75.7 is dragged down by the 17.0% diabetes rate and 37.7% obesity rate, suggesting that while the climate encourages outdoor activity, local lifestyle habits do not fully capitalize on it. The low college education rate (17.2%) often correlates with underfunded or lower-performing public school districts compared to affluent suburbs.

The Verdict

Pros:

• Housing Value: You get -18.7% more house for your money compared to the national median.
• Air Quality: Exceptional AQI of 38 and PM2.5 of 4.5.
• Cost of Living: Groceries, transport, and utilities are all 5-6% cheaper than average.
• Property Safety: Property crime is 8% lower than the US average.

Cons:

• Income Trap: The median income of $45,454 is -39.1% lower than the US average, making the city unaffordable for local hires.
• Health Risks: Extremely high rates of obesity (37.7%) and diabetes (17.0%) indicate a challenging environment for health-conscious living.
• Education Gap: Only 17.2% of residents are college-educated, which may impact the social and cultural milieu for some professionals.

Final Recommendation:
RECOMMENDED FOR REMOTE EARNERS.
Lauderhill is a data-backed "arbitrage" opportunity for individuals or families earning $80,000+ remotely. The housing discount allows for wealth building that is impossible in the surrounding Broward County cities. It is NOT RECOMMENDED for local job seekers or those with high health risk factors looking for a wellness-centric community.

FAQs

1. What salary is needed to live comfortably in Lauderhill?
To live comfortably (saving 20% of income) as a single person, a salary of $65,000 is required. For a family of four, considering the high local health risks and childcare, a household income of $110,000+ is recommended.

2. How does the value compare to neighboring cities?
Lauderhill offers a 15-20% discount on housing compared to Fort Lauderdale and Sunrise. However, it lacks the immediate commercial density and retail options of those neighbors.

3. Are the safety stats reliable?
Yes. The Violent Crime rate of 380 per 100k is statistically average, while Property Crime is lower than average. Standard urban precautions are necessary, but the data does not support a "high crime" narrative.

4. When is the best time to move?
The best time to move is Q1 (January-March). This avoids the peak hurricane season (June-November) and the humidity spikes of late summer. The current temperature of 70.0°F is indicative of the prime moving weather window.