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

Port St. Lucie

Florida
113
VS

Columbia

South Carolina
80

Port St. Lucie is 41% more expensive than Columbia.

$1,781/mo ↑ 54%
Median Rent
$1,158/mo ↓ 35%
$78,137/yr ↑ 40%
Median Income
$55,653/yr ↓ 29%
$327,700 ↑ 35%
Home Value
$243,500 ↓ 26%
$1,507/mo ↑ 29%
Owner Costs
$1,169/mo ↓ 22%
220,453
Population
138,019

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
25.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Port St. Lucie, FL and Columbia, SC, the overall cost of living indices are 113 and 80 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $623/month cheaper in Columbia, saving renters about $7,476/year.

Median household income is $22,484/year higher in Port St. Lucie. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Port St. Lucie is $327,700 compared to $243,500 in Columbia.

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 Columbia — common questions

Is Port St. Lucie or Columbia cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Columbia is cheaper to live in with an index of 80 compared to 113 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Port St. Lucie and Columbia?
Median rent in Port St. Lucie is $1,781/month and in Columbia it's $1,158/month — a difference of $623/month.
Which city has higher income, Port St. Lucie or Columbia?
Median household income is $78,137 in Port St. Lucie and $55,653 in Columbia. Median household income is $22,484/year higher in Port St. Lucie.
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 Columbia?
It depends on your priorities. Port St. Lucie has a cost index of 113 with median rent of $1,781/mo, while Columbia has a cost index of 80 with rent of $1,158/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Port St. Lucie details → View Columbia details →

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