Cost of Living: Port St. Lucie, FL vs Cary, NC (2026)

Port St. Lucie

Florida
113
VS

Cary

North Carolina
135

Port St. Lucie is 16% cheaper than Cary.

$1,781/mo ↑ 10%
Median Rent
$1,621/mo ↓ 9%
$78,137/yr ↓ 40%
Median Income
$129,399/yr ↑ 66%
$327,700 ↓ 38%
Home Value
$525,200 ↑ 60%
$1,507/mo ↓ 14%
Owner Costs
$1,744/mo ↑ 16%
220,453
Population
176,686

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.5%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
15.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Port St. Lucie, FL and Cary, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 113 and 135 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $160/month cheaper in Cary, saving renters about $1,920/year.

Median household income is $51,262/year higher in Cary. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Port St. Lucie is $327,700 compared to $525,200 in Cary.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Port St. Lucie residents a significant tax advantage over North Carolina's 4.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Port St. Lucie vs Cary — common questions

Is Port St. Lucie or Cary cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Port St. Lucie is cheaper to live in with an index of 113 compared to 135 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Port St. Lucie and Cary?
Median rent in Port St. Lucie is $1,781/month and in Cary it's $1,621/month — a difference of $160/month.
Which city has higher income, Port St. Lucie or Cary?
Median household income is $78,137 in Port St. Lucie and $129,399 in Cary. Median household income is $51,262/year higher in Cary.
How do taxes compare between Florida and North Carolina?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Port St. Lucie or Cary?
It depends on your priorities. Port St. Lucie has a cost index of 113 with median rent of $1,781/mo, while Cary has a cost index of 135 with rent of $1,621/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Port St. Lucie details → View Cary details →

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