Cost of Living: Port St. Lucie, FL vs Costa Mesa, CA (2026)

Port St. Lucie

Florida
113
VS

Costa Mesa

California
228

Port St. Lucie is 50% cheaper than Costa Mesa.

$1,781/mo ↓ 26%
Median Rent
$2,395/mo ↑ 34%
$78,137/yr ↓ 29%
Median Income
$110,073/yr ↑ 41%
$327,700 ↓ 69%
Home Value
$1,054,700 ↑ 222%
$1,507/mo ↓ 39%
Owner Costs
$2,462/mo ↑ 63%
220,453
Population
110,538

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Port St. Lucie, FL and Costa Mesa, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 113 and 228 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $614/month cheaper in Port St. Lucie, saving renters about $7,368/year.

Median household income is $31,936/year higher in Costa Mesa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Port St. Lucie is $327,700 compared to $1,054,700 in Costa Mesa.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Port St. Lucie residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Port St. Lucie vs Costa Mesa — common questions

Is Port St. Lucie or Costa Mesa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Port St. Lucie is cheaper to live in with an index of 113 compared to 228 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Port St. Lucie and Costa Mesa?
Median rent in Port St. Lucie is $1,781/month and in Costa Mesa it's $2,395/month — a difference of $614/month.
Which city has higher income, Port St. Lucie or Costa Mesa?
Median household income is $78,137 in Port St. Lucie and $110,073 in Costa Mesa. Median household income is $31,936/year higher in Costa Mesa.
How do taxes compare between Florida and California?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Port St. Lucie or Costa Mesa?
It depends on your priorities. Port St. Lucie has a cost index of 113 with median rent of $1,781/mo, while Costa Mesa has a cost index of 228 with rent of $2,395/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Port St. Lucie details → View Costa Mesa details →

More Comparisons

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