Moving to Tamarac, FL

What Tamarac housing looks like

Census data puts the median year built in Tamarac at 1981. About 37.4% of units are in buildings with ten or more units and 37.2% are single-family detached homes, with the rest in townhouses, villas and smaller buildings. Much of the city grew in the 1960s through the 1980s as a retirement destination, and large condo and villa communities from that period still make up a big part of what is for sale.

Zillow's numbers reflect that mix. Condos average about $152,199 and single-family homes about $376,980. A one-bedroom is about $104,879, a two-bedroom about $239,985, a three-bedroom about $419,136 and a four-bedroom about $548,659. Zillow doesn't publish a five-bedroom figure for Tamarac, which tells you how few large houses there are.

Who lives in Tamarac

Tamarac has about 73,019 residents and a median age of 47.0, one of the higher medians in Broward. About 25.9% of residents are 65 or older. Only 2.6% of homes are seasonal, so most owners live here year round rather than coming down for the winter. That is a different profile from coastal cities, where snowbird ownership is much higher.

The age profile is changing slowly as original owners sell. Estate sales and long-held homes come to market regularly, and many are sold as-is or with dated interiors. For buyers willing to renovate, that is where much of the value is. For buyers who want a finished house, it means more time spent filtering listings.

Getting around and daily life

Tamarac is in north-central Broward, inland, with Coral Springs to the northwest and Sunrise and Lauderhill to the south. University Drive and Commercial Boulevard are the main north-south and east-west roads, and the Sawgrass Expressway runs along the west side of the city, connecting to I-595 and I-75 to the south. The nearest major airport is Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International. The beach is a drive east.

Tamarac has its own hospital on University Drive, and larger medical campuses are a short drive away in neighboring cities. Daily shopping is spread along the main roads rather than in a walkable downtown.

Prices against nearby cities

On Zillow's all-homes figures, Tamarac at $291,266 is below Sunrise at $360,778, Coral Springs at $521,975, Plantation at $492,003 and Fort Lauderdale at $509,743. Only Lauderhill at $211,924 and Deerfield Beach at $271,903 come in lower among the comparison cities.

Tamarac values are up 18.9% over five years, a slower climb than many Broward cities, and down 3.8% over the past year. Condos fell harder, 10.1%, while single-family houses dropped 2.7%. In practical terms, buyers have more room to negotiate on condos right now, and houses are holding up better. Zillow's lower third of the market ends around $146,464 and the upper third starts near $428,547.

Tamarac pros and cons from a buyer's side

On the plus side: prices well below most of central and western Broward, a settled year-round population, quick access to the Sawgrass Expressway, and a wide choice of condos, villas and houses at different price points. Two-bedroom homes at about $239,985 give a buyer a lot of options that simply don't exist at that price in Coral Springs or Weston.

On the minus side: older buildings and systems, fees that have risen in many associations, a thin supply of large or recent houses, and a city that is quieter in the evening than coastal Broward. Buyers who want a walkable downtown or a beach commute will likely be happier in a different city.

Taxes, insurance and storms

Florida has no state income tax, and for buyers moving from states with one, that is often the biggest single change in household budget. Property tax and insurance are where Florida costs show up instead. A permanent resident can claim homestead, worth up to $51,411 off assessed value in 2026, and Save Our Homes caps later increases at 3% or CPI. The assessment resets to market value after a purchase, so the seller's bill doesn't carry over.

Being inland reduces storm surge exposure, but wind and heavy rain still matter. Check the FEMA zone for the address, ask about roof age and any wind mitigation report, and get insurance quotes before your inspection period ends. Houses and villas from the 1970s and 1980s usually need a 4-point inspection for coverage.

What people moving to Tamarac often get wrong

• Assuming every low-priced listing is open to anyone. Several of Tamarac's largest communities are 55+, and the age rules apply to who lives in the home.
• Budgeting from the purchase price alone. In older condo and villa communities, monthly fees and special assessments can change the math more than a few thousand dollars on price.
• Underestimating renovation on estate sales. Original kitchens are cosmetic. Original roofs, panels and plumbing are what insurers care about.
• Skipping the HOA documents on houses. Many Tamarac single-family areas are inside associations with rules on exterior changes.

Tamarac rewards buyers who sort listings by community type first and price second. A shortlist built that way, with age-restricted and unrestricted homes separated, saves most of the wasted tours.