Is It Expensive to Live in Davie Florida? Breaking Down the Real Numbers
Davie, Florida is moderately expensive by national standards but affordable compared to most of South Florida. The median household income in Davie is $87,250, and the median home price is $845,000, giving a price to income ratio of 9.7. That is high, but lower than Miami (12.4), Fort Lauderdale (11.1), and Weston (10.3).
Davie vs. Miami: Cost Comparison
Miami’s median home price exceeds $620,000 for condos and $1.05 million for single family homes in 2026. Davie’s median of $845,000 applies almost entirely to single family homes with significantly more square footage and lot size. A 2,000 square foot home on a quarter acre lot in Davie would cost $1.2 million or more in most Miami neighborhoods. Property taxes in Miami Dade County average 1.02%, slightly lower than Broward’s 1.1%, but Miami’s higher home values offset that difference. Renters in Miami pay a median of $2,800 per month compared to Davie’s $2,400. The biggest gap is in auto insurance, where Miami Dade drivers pay 22% more than Broward County drivers on average.
Davie vs. Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale’s cost of living index is 119 compared to Davie’s 112. The primary driver is housing: Fort Lauderdale’s median home price is $535,000, but that includes condos and townhomes. Single family homes in Fort Lauderdale average $875,000 to $1.1 million in desirable neighborhoods like Victoria Park, Rio Vista, and Coral Ridge. Davie offers comparable or better value on a per square foot basis, with the added benefit of larger lots. Utilities and groceries cost roughly the same in both cities. Fort Lauderdale has higher entertainment and dining costs due to its urban core, but many Davie residents access those amenities easily given the 20 minute drive.
Davie vs. Weston
Weston is the closest comparison to Davie geographically and demographically. Weston’s median home price is $680,000, which is lower than Davie’s $845,000. However, this comparison is misleading. Weston’s housing stock is predominantly HOA governed planned communities with smaller lots (0.15 to 0.25 acres). Davie includes western acreage properties on half acre to five acre lots, which push the median higher. When comparing similar home types, prices are comparable. The real difference is lifestyle: Weston charges HOA fees averaging $300 to $500 per month for community maintenance and amenities, while many Davie neighborhoods have no HOA at all. Our detailed Davie Cost of Living breakdown covers monthly expenses in full.
Davie vs. Plantation
Plantation’s cost of living index is 113, nearly identical to Davie’s 112. The median home price in Plantation is $520,000, but average lot sizes are 0.15 acres compared to Davie’s 0.25 to 0.75 acres. Dollar for dollar, Davie delivers more land. Plantation has a slight edge in walkability and access to retail along Broward Boulevard and University Drive, but Davie’s proximity to I-595 and the Turnpike provides comparable commute times. Property tax rates are virtually identical across both municipalities. Plantation’s insurance costs run 5% to 8% higher than Davie’s due to older housing stock and different flood zone exposure.
The Income Question
Davie’s median household income of $87,250 is 12% higher than the Broward County median of $77,800 and 38% above the national median of $63,000. This higher income base helps explain why Davie’s housing costs, while high in absolute terms, are manageable for most residents. Using the standard 28% housing cost rule, a household earning $87,250 can afford approximately $2,035 per month in housing costs. A $600,000 home (the entry level for Davie single family) with 20% down at 6.5% interest creates a monthly payment of approximately $3,035 including taxes and insurance. That suggests the entry level buyer in Davie needs a household income of at least $130,000 to comfortably afford homeownership.
Where Davie Saves You Money
Three factors work in Davie’s favor on affordability. First, Florida has no state income tax, saving the median household $4,000 to $6,000 per year compared to states with income tax. Second, Davie’s large number of no HOA properties eliminates $3,600 to $6,000 in annual HOA fees that Weston and Plantation residents commonly pay. Third, Broward County’s 14.1% average drop in insurance premiums in 2025 and 2026 reduced carrying costs by $500 to $800 annually for most Davie homeowners. Check the Davie Market Data page for current pricing trends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Davie, Florida expensive to live in?
Davie is moderately expensive by national standards (cost of living index 112) but affordable compared to Miami (131), Fort Lauderdale (119), and most coastal South Florida cities. The median household income of $87,250 is above the county and national averages.
How much do you need to earn to live in Davie?
To comfortably purchase an entry level single family home in Davie ($600,000), a household needs approximately $130,000 in annual income. To rent comfortably, a household income of $85,000 to $100,000 is sufficient.
Is Davie cheaper than Weston?
It depends on the home type. Weston’s median home price is lower ($680,000 vs $845,000), but Weston homes have higher HOA fees ($300 to $500 per month) and smaller lots. Total monthly housing costs are comparable for similar sized homes.
Is Davie cheaper than Miami?
Yes. Davie is significantly cheaper than Miami for comparable single family homes. A 2,000 square foot home in Davie costs substantially less than the same home in most Miami neighborhoods, and Miami’s cost of living index (131) is 17% higher than Davie’s (112).
What is the median home price in Davie, Florida?
The median home price in Davie is $845,000 as of 2026. Entry level single family homes start in the mid $400,000s, while luxury homes and western acreage properties range from $1.2 million to over $3 million.
Are there affordable neighborhoods in Davie?
Yes. Neighborhoods like Forest Ridge, Rolling Hills, and Arrowhead offer single family homes in the $450,000 to $650,000 range. Townhomes and villas in Davie start in the mid $300,000s.
Related Resources
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Anthony Spitaleri, Broker Associate and REALTOR in Davie, Florida, can build a customized cost analysis based on your income, budget, and lifestyle preferences. If you want to know exactly what your money buys in Davie versus other South Florida cities, book a free consultation and get real answers tailored to your situation.
