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

Port St. Lucie

Florida
113
VS

Dayton

Ohio
50

Port St. Lucie is 126% more expensive than Dayton.

$1,781/mo ↑ 106%
Median Rent
$866/mo ↓ 51%
$78,137/yr ↑ 80%
Median Income
$43,454/yr ↓ 44%
$327,700 ↑ 252%
Home Value
$93,200 ↓ 72%
$1,507/mo ↑ 81%
Owner Costs
$833/mo ↓ 45%
220,453
Population
136,741

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
3.5%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
5.75%
0.86%
Property Tax
1.53%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Port St. Lucie, FL and Dayton, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 113 and 50 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $915/month cheaper in Dayton, saving renters about $10,980/year.

Median household income is $34,683/year higher in Port St. Lucie. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Port St. Lucie is $327,700 compared to $93,200 in Dayton.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Port St. Lucie residents a significant tax advantage over Ohio's 3.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Port St. Lucie vs Dayton — common questions

Is Port St. Lucie or Dayton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Dayton is cheaper to live in with an index of 50 compared to 113 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Port St. Lucie and Dayton?
Median rent in Port St. Lucie is $1,781/month and in Dayton it's $866/month — a difference of $915/month.
Which city has higher income, Port St. Lucie or Dayton?
Median household income is $78,137 in Port St. Lucie and $43,454 in Dayton. Median household income is $34,683/year higher in Port St. Lucie.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Ohio?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax.
Should I move to Port St. Lucie or Dayton?
It depends on your priorities. Port St. Lucie has a cost index of 113 with median rent of $1,781/mo, while Dayton has a cost index of 50 with rent of $866/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Port St. Lucie details → View Dayton details →

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