Cost of Living: Port St. Lucie, FL vs Charleston, SC (2026)

Port St. Lucie

Florida
113
VS

Charleston

South Carolina
128

Port St. Lucie is 12% cheaper than Charleston.

$1,781/mo ↑ 9%
Median Rent
$1,632/mo ↓ 8%
$78,137/yr ↓ 13%
Median Income
$90,038/yr ↑ 15%
$327,700 ↓ 30%
Home Value
$469,100 ↑ 43%
$1,507/mo ↓ 11%
Owner Costs
$1,688/mo ↑ 12%
220,453
Population
152,014

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
6.4%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.57%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Port St. Lucie, FL and Charleston, SC, the overall cost of living indices are 113 and 128 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $149/month cheaper in Charleston, saving renters about $1,788/year.

Median household income is $11,901/year higher in Charleston. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Port St. Lucie is $327,700 compared to $469,100 in Charleston.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Port St. Lucie residents a significant tax advantage over South Carolina's 6.4% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Port St. Lucie vs Charleston — common questions

Is Port St. Lucie or Charleston cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Port St. Lucie is cheaper to live in with an index of 113 compared to 128 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Port St. Lucie and Charleston?
Median rent in Port St. Lucie is $1,781/month and in Charleston it's $1,632/month — a difference of $149/month.
Which city has higher income, Port St. Lucie or Charleston?
Median household income is $78,137 in Port St. Lucie and $90,038 in Charleston. Median household income is $11,901/year higher in Charleston.
How do taxes compare between Florida and South Carolina?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. South Carolina has 6.4% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.57% property tax.
Should I move to Port St. Lucie or Charleston?
It depends on your priorities. Port St. Lucie has a cost index of 113 with median rent of $1,781/mo, while Charleston has a cost index of 128 with rent of $1,632/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Port St. Lucie details → View Charleston details →

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