Total Ownership Cost: Weston vs. Coastal Broward

Two dream lifestyles, two different cost profiles. If you are deciding between a luxury home in Weston and a residence on Broward’s coast, the view is only part of the picture. Total ownership cost spans taxes, insurance, HOA or CDD fees, utilities, flood exposure, and long-term maintenance. In this guide, you will see where costs typically diverge and how to compare two specific properties with confidence. Let’s dive in.

What drives total cost

Owning in Weston versus the coast differs most in four areas:

• Property taxes and non ad valorem assessments
• Insurance for wind and flood
• HOA, condo, or Community Development District fees
• Risk, maintenance, and resiliency needs

Use the sections below to understand each, then run a line-by-line comparison for your short list.

Property taxes and millage

Annual ad valorem taxes are your taxable value times the total millage from county, city, school board, and special districts. Always confirm current-year TRIM notices before you estimate a bill. You can test scenarios with the Broward Property Appraiser’s tax estimator.

• Weston’s city millage has been reported around 3.3464 mills in recent communications from the City of Weston. Review current city notices for the latest figure.
• Fort Lauderdale’s adopted city millage was cited at 4.1193 mills in recent city budget materials. Remember, total taxes also include county and school board millage.

For accuracy, verify the parcel’s TRIM, then add any non ad valorem lines such as solid waste, fire, drainage, or district assessments.

Helpful links:

• Use the Broward Property Appraiser’s tax estimator for sample bills: Broward Property Appraiser tax estimator
• Review Weston city millage context: City of Weston millage update
• Review Fort Lauderdale’s TRIM guidance: City of Fort Lauderdale TRIM overview

Insurance reality: wind and flood

Property insurance in Broward is elevated compared to many U.S. markets. Industry analyses have placed the county’s average homeowners premium around 6,200 to 6,300 dollars annually in recent datasets. Your number will vary by home value, age, roof, and mitigation features.

Flood insurance hinges on the FEMA flood zone and elevation. Many Weston parcels sit in lower-risk zones than barrier-island properties, although localized exposure can still exist. Coastal homes in AE or VE zones generally face higher premiums and stricter building standards than inland X-zone homes.

What to do next:

• Check your specific FEMA flood zone using the county’s interactive map: Broward flood maps
• Ask for wind mitigation inspections and credits. Features like impact windows and improved roof-to-wall connections can lower premiums.
• Use current carrier quotes for each address before you finalize a budget.

Reference:

• County premium context and trends: Florida insurance market analysis

HOA, condo, and CDD assessments

• Coastal condos: After the Surfside tragedy, Florida enacted stricter inspections and reserve funding rules. Many older buildings increased dues or levied special assessments to meet new standards. This is a material, recurring cost to underwrite if you favor a coastal condo.
• Weston single-family communities: Fees are often tied to HOA and master-planned services. Some areas also sit within development districts that add CDD-type assessments to the tax bill.

Example to note:

• The Bonaventure Development District lists annual non ad valorem assessments that appear on the tax bill. Recent schedules include single-family per-unit charges, such as a roughly 482.92 dollar line for certain FY2025 items. Always confirm the current schedule for the specific lot.

Useful sources:

• Condo law context after Surfside: AP coverage of Florida condo changes
• Weston district assessments and schedules: Bonaventure Development District assessments

Utilities and municipal fees

Most of Broward is served by FPL for electricity. Municipal water, sewer, stormwater, and sanitation rates vary by city and are adjusted periodically. Fort Lauderdale has published updated utility rate schedules, which can affect your monthly total if you own within city service areas.

• Review water, sewer, and stormwater rates: Fort Lauderdale utility rates

For electricity, request a recent 12-month bill from the seller or association, then build in headroom for future rate changes.

Risk and maintenance

Flood zones and elevation

FEMA’s updated maps took effect in Broward in 2024. Coastal parcels in AE or VE zones may require higher finished-floor elevations for new builds or major renovations, which raises construction and retrofit costs relative to many inland Weston homes. Confirm the parcel’s flood zone, Base Flood Elevation, and any elevation certificate before you model insurance or capital plans.

• Check your parcel: Broward flood maps

Seawalls, docks, and salt air

Waterfront living adds unique maintenance. Seawall repair or replacement can range widely, often from about 150 to more than 1,200 dollars per linear foot, depending on material, access, and scope. Salt air also accelerates corrosion, so plan on more frequent exterior upkeep and roof inspections than inland homes.

• Cost context for seawalls: Seawall cost ranges

Long-term resiliency

Sea-level rise and tidal flooding frequency are planning considerations for long holding periods. Budget for evolving resiliency investments, such as drainage, seawall upgrades, or elevation in certain coastal micro-markets.

• Explore long-term projections: NOAA sea-level rise viewer

Side-by-side snapshot

Below is a high-level comparison to orient your analysis. Always replace with address-specific documents before you decide.

Buyer checklist: compare two specific homes

Use this quick list when you are weighing a Weston home against a coastal option:

• Pull the current TRIM and estimate tax with the county tool: Broward Property Appraiser tax estimator
• Confirm both city and county millage from official pages: City of Weston and City of Fort Lauderdale
• Get written quotes for homeowners and flood insurance; note mitigation credits and roof age
• Verify FEMA flood zone, Base Flood Elevation, and any elevation certificate: Broward flood maps
• For condos: request recent budgets, reserve studies, milestone inspection reports, and any special assessments: AP condo law overview
• For Weston districts: confirm the exact CDD or special assessment lines on the tax bill: Weston district assessments
• For waterfront: obtain a seawall condition report and replacement estimate: Seawall cost ranges
• For utilities: review recent bills and posted rates for water, sewer, stormwater in the service area: Fort Lauderdale utility rates

The bottom line

Weston and coastal Broward both deliver world-class lifestyles, yet their cost structures differ in meaningful ways. Inland homes often benefit from lower flood exposure and fewer waterfront capital items, while coastal properties trade higher insurance and maintenance for water access and views. If you model taxes, insurance, fees, utilities, and risk-adjusted capital items side by side for the specific address, the right choice usually becomes clear.

If you want a discreet, data-backed comparison tailored to your goals, connect with SoFloLife at ONE Sotheby’s International Realty. We will help you evaluate true ownership cost before you make your move.

FAQs

How do Weston and Fort Lauderdale city millage rates compare?

• Recent city materials cite Weston’s portion around 3.3464 mills and Fort Lauderdale’s around 4.1193 mills, but your total bill also includes county, school board, and special district millage. Always confirm with the current TRIM notice.

Do you need flood insurance to buy in Weston?

• Many Weston parcels are in lower-risk zones, so lenders may not require flood insurance, but localized risk exists. Check the parcel on the Broward flood map and consider a policy if drainage or past events suggest exposure.

What is a CDD in Weston and why does it matter?

• Some Weston neighborhoods lie within development districts that levy annual non ad valorem assessments on your tax bill. The Bonaventure Development District publishes its schedules, which can add several hundred dollars or more per year depending on the property.

Why are coastal condo fees rising in Broward?

• Post-Surfside laws require milestone inspections and stronger reserves in many buildings. Older coastal condos have responded with higher monthly dues and, in some cases, special assessments to fund life-safety and structural work.

How much can a seawall cost on a waterfront home?

• Costs vary with scope and materials, but ranges often run from about 150 to more than 1,200 dollars per linear foot. Get a seawall inspection and written estimate before you finalize your offer.

Ready to discover more about the community offerings, click on the city names of Fort Lauderdale on the coast and Weston.