Cost of Living: Port St. Lucie, FL vs Des Moines, IA (2026)

Port St. Lucie

Florida
113
VS

Des Moines

Iowa
70

Port St. Lucie is 61% more expensive than Des Moines.

$1,781/mo ↑ 69%
Median Rent
$1,054/mo ↓ 41%
$78,137/yr ↑ 22%
Median Income
$63,966/yr ↓ 18%
$327,700 ↑ 78%
Home Value
$183,700 ↓ 44%
$1,507/mo ↑ 33%
Owner Costs
$1,137/mo ↓ 25%
220,453
Population
212,464

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.7%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
1.57%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Port St. Lucie, FL and Des Moines, IA, the overall cost of living indices are 113 and 70 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $727/month cheaper in Des Moines, saving renters about $8,724/year.

Median household income is $14,171/year higher in Port St. Lucie. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Port St. Lucie is $327,700 compared to $183,700 in Des Moines.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Port St. Lucie residents a significant tax advantage over Iowa's 5.7% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Port St. Lucie vs Des Moines — common questions

Is Port St. Lucie or Des Moines cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Des Moines is cheaper to live in with an index of 70 compared to 113 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Port St. Lucie and Des Moines?
Median rent in Port St. Lucie is $1,781/month and in Des Moines it's $1,054/month — a difference of $727/month.
Which city has higher income, Port St. Lucie or Des Moines?
Median household income is $78,137 in Port St. Lucie and $63,966 in Des Moines. Median household income is $14,171/year higher in Port St. Lucie.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Iowa?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Iowa has 5.7% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 1.57% property tax.
Should I move to Port St. Lucie or Des Moines?
It depends on your priorities. Port St. Lucie has a cost index of 113 with median rent of $1,781/mo, while Des Moines has a cost index of 70 with rent of $1,054/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Port St. Lucie details → View Des Moines details →

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