Fort Lauderdale vs Miami Beach: Full Comparison
Updated November 2026 · Cost of living, safety, and climate data
Quick Answer
Miami Beach is 2% safer. Fort Lauderdale population: 188,677. Miami Beach population: 81,594.
Which city is better for you?
Based on cost of living indices, FBI crime data, and NOAA climate records.
Cost of Living
Cost of living data is not available for Miami Beach. Try the salary calculator for cities with data.
Safety: Fort Lauderdale vs Miami Beach
Miami Beach is 2% safer overall, with a crime rate of 23.5 per 1,000 residents vs Fort Lauderdale's 23.9. Miami Beach earns a C+ safety grade compared to Fort Lauderdale's C+. Based on 2023 FBI data.
Fort Lauderdale
Florida
Miami Beach
Florida
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale | Miami Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Crime Rate | 23.9/1K | 23.5/1K |
| Violent Crime Rate | 352.3 | 350.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2033.2 | 1997.2 |
| Murder Rate | 5.9 | 7.1 |
| Assault Rate | 274.2 | 307.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 44.1 | 70.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 278.0 | 323.0 |
| Theft Rate | 1577.3 | 1709.9 |
| Vehicle Theft Rate | 273.3 | 347.5 |
Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).
Victim Odds
In Fort Lauderdale, you have a 1 in 42 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 43 in Miami Beach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fort Lauderdale safer than Miami Beach?
Should I move to Fort Lauderdale or Miami Beach?
How big is Fort Lauderdale compared to Miami Beach?
Learn More About Each City
Safety data: 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities and C2ER Cost of Living Index. Climate: NOAA 30-year normals. Not a substitute for local guidance.
Know before you go
CityCheck covers safety, cost of living, climate, and things to do for every US city.
Explore cities