Cost of Living: Port St. Lucie, FL vs Fort Lauderdale, FL (2026)

Port St. Lucie

Florida
113
VS

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132

Port St. Lucie is 14% cheaper than Fort Lauderdale.

$1,781/mo ≈ Same
Median Rent
$1,776/mo ≈ Same
$78,137/yr ↓ 2%
Median Income
$79,935/yr ↑ 2%
$327,700 ↓ 28%
Home Value
$455,600 ↑ 39%
$1,507/mo ↓ 15%
Owner Costs
$1,778/mo ↑ 18%
220,453
Population
183,032

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Port St. Lucie, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 113 and 132 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is comparable in both cities, with less than $50/month separating them.

Median household income is $1,798/year higher in Fort Lauderdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Port St. Lucie is $327,700 compared to $455,600 in Fort Lauderdale.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in Florida.

Frequently Asked Questions

Port St. Lucie vs Fort Lauderdale — common questions

Is Port St. Lucie or Fort Lauderdale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Port St. Lucie is cheaper to live in with an index of 113 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Port St. Lucie and Fort Lauderdale?
Median rent in Port St. Lucie is $1,781/month and in Fort Lauderdale it's $1,776/month — a difference of $5/month.
Which city has higher income, Port St. Lucie or Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income is $78,137 in Port St. Lucie and $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale. Median household income is $1,798/year higher in Fort Lauderdale.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Florida?
Both cities are in Florida and share the same state tax rates: 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Port St. Lucie or Fort Lauderdale?
It depends on your priorities. Port St. Lucie has a cost index of 113 with median rent of $1,781/mo, while Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with rent of $1,776/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Port St. Lucie details → View Fort Lauderdale details →

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