Cost of Living: Port St. Lucie, FL vs Athens, GA (2026)

Port St. Lucie

Florida
113
VS

Athens

Georgia
83

Port St. Lucie is 36% more expensive than Athens.

$1,781/mo ↑ 53%
Median Rent
$1,162/mo ↓ 35%
$78,137/yr ↑ 51%
Median Income
$51,655/yr ↓ 34%
$327,700 ↑ 21%
Home Value
$271,800 ↓ 17%
$1,507/mo ↑ 30%
Owner Costs
$1,163/mo ↓ 23%
220,453
Population
126,987

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.49%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.92%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Port St. Lucie, FL and Athens, GA, the overall cost of living indices are 113 and 83 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $619/month cheaper in Athens, saving renters about $7,428/year.

Median household income is $26,482/year higher in Port St. Lucie. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Port St. Lucie is $327,700 compared to $271,800 in Athens.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Port St. Lucie residents a significant tax advantage over Georgia's 5.49% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Port St. Lucie vs Athens — common questions

Is Port St. Lucie or Athens cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Athens is cheaper to live in with an index of 83 compared to 113 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Port St. Lucie and Athens?
Median rent in Port St. Lucie is $1,781/month and in Athens it's $1,162/month — a difference of $619/month.
Which city has higher income, Port St. Lucie or Athens?
Median household income is $78,137 in Port St. Lucie and $51,655 in Athens. Median household income is $26,482/year higher in Port St. Lucie.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Georgia?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Georgia has 5.49% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax.
Should I move to Port St. Lucie or Athens?
It depends on your priorities. Port St. Lucie has a cost index of 113 with median rent of $1,781/mo, while Athens has a cost index of 83 with rent of $1,162/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Port St. Lucie details → View Athens details →

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