Cost of Living: Port St. Lucie, FL vs Birmingham, AL (2026)

Port St. Lucie

Florida
113
VS

Birmingham

Alabama
62

Port St. Lucie is 82% more expensive than Birmingham.

$1,781/mo ↑ 70%
Median Rent
$1,047/mo ↓ 41%
$78,137/yr ↑ 76%
Median Income
$44,376/yr ↓ 43%
$327,700 ↑ 136%
Home Value
$138,600 ↓ 58%
$1,507/mo ↑ 52%
Owner Costs
$991/mo ↓ 34%
220,453
Population
199,322

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.0%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.41%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Port St. Lucie, FL and Birmingham, AL, the overall cost of living indices are 113 and 62 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $734/month cheaper in Birmingham, saving renters about $8,808/year.

Median household income is $33,761/year higher in Port St. Lucie. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Port St. Lucie is $327,700 compared to $138,600 in Birmingham.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Port St. Lucie residents a significant tax advantage over Alabama's 5.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Port St. Lucie vs Birmingham — common questions

Is Port St. Lucie or Birmingham cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Birmingham is cheaper to live in with an index of 62 compared to 113 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Port St. Lucie and Birmingham?
Median rent in Port St. Lucie is $1,781/month and in Birmingham it's $1,047/month — a difference of $734/month.
Which city has higher income, Port St. Lucie or Birmingham?
Median household income is $78,137 in Port St. Lucie and $44,376 in Birmingham. Median household income is $33,761/year higher in Port St. Lucie.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Alabama?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Alabama has 5.0% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.41% property tax.
Should I move to Port St. Lucie or Birmingham?
It depends on your priorities. Port St. Lucie has a cost index of 113 with median rent of $1,781/mo, while Birmingham has a cost index of 62 with rent of $1,047/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Port St. Lucie details → View Birmingham details →

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