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

Port St. Lucie

Florida
113
VS

Clearwater

Florida
105

Port St. Lucie is 8% more expensive than Clearwater.

$1,781/mo ↑ 16%
Median Rent
$1,539/mo ↓ 14%
$78,137/yr ↑ 21%
Median Income
$64,440/yr ↓ 18%
$327,700 ≈ Same
Home Value
$326,100 ≈ Same
$1,507/mo ↑ 7%
Owner Costs
$1,411/mo ↓ 6%
220,453
Population
117,075

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Port St. Lucie, FL and Clearwater, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 113 and 105 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $242/month cheaper in Clearwater, saving renters about $2,904/year.

Median household income is $13,697/year higher in Port St. Lucie. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Port St. Lucie is $327,700 compared to $326,100 in Clearwater.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in Florida.

Frequently Asked Questions

Port St. Lucie vs Clearwater — common questions

Is Port St. Lucie or Clearwater cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Clearwater is cheaper to live in with an index of 105 compared to 113 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Port St. Lucie and Clearwater?
Median rent in Port St. Lucie is $1,781/month and in Clearwater it's $1,539/month — a difference of $242/month.
Which city has higher income, Port St. Lucie or Clearwater?
Median household income is $78,137 in Port St. Lucie and $64,440 in Clearwater. Median household income is $13,697/year higher in Port St. Lucie.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Florida?
Both cities are in Florida and share the same state tax rates: 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Port St. Lucie or Clearwater?
It depends on your priorities. Port St. Lucie has a cost index of 113 with median rent of $1,781/mo, while Clearwater has a cost index of 105 with rent of $1,539/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Port St. Lucie details → View Clearwater details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Port St. Lucie and Clearwater

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