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

Port St. Lucie

Florida
113
VS

Fayetteville

North Carolina
73

Port St. Lucie is 55% more expensive than Fayetteville.

$1,781/mo ↑ 51%
Median Rent
$1,179/mo ↓ 34%
$78,137/yr ↑ 39%
Median Income
$56,395/yr ↓ 28%
$327,700 ↑ 91%
Home Value
$171,900 ↓ 48%
$1,507/mo ↑ 30%
Owner Costs
$1,156/mo ↓ 23%
220,453
Population
209,692

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.5%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Port St. Lucie, FL and Fayetteville, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 113 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $602/month cheaper in Fayetteville, saving renters about $7,224/year.

Median household income is $21,742/year higher in Port St. Lucie. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Port St. Lucie is $327,700 compared to $171,900 in Fayetteville.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Port St. Lucie residents a significant tax advantage over North Carolina's 4.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Port St. Lucie vs Fayetteville — common questions

Is Port St. Lucie or Fayetteville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fayetteville is cheaper to live in with an index of 73 compared to 113 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Port St. Lucie and Fayetteville?
Median rent in Port St. Lucie is $1,781/month and in Fayetteville it's $1,179/month — a difference of $602/month.
Which city has higher income, Port St. Lucie or Fayetteville?
Median household income is $78,137 in Port St. Lucie and $56,395 in Fayetteville. Median household income is $21,742/year higher in Port St. Lucie.
How do taxes compare between Florida and North Carolina?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Port St. Lucie or Fayetteville?
It depends on your priorities. Port St. Lucie has a cost index of 113 with median rent of $1,781/mo, while Fayetteville has a cost index of 73 with rent of $1,179/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Port St. Lucie details → View Fayetteville details →

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