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

Port St. Lucie

Florida
113
VS

Gainesville

Florida
81

Port St. Lucie is 40% more expensive than Gainesville.

$1,781/mo ↑ 47%
Median Rent
$1,214/mo ↓ 32%
$78,137/yr ↑ 71%
Median Income
$45,611/yr ↓ 42%
$327,700 ↑ 39%
Home Value
$235,000 ↓ 28%
$1,507/mo ↑ 29%
Owner Costs
$1,167/mo ↓ 23%
220,453
Population
143,611

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
31.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Port St. Lucie, FL and Gainesville, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 113 and 81 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $567/month cheaper in Gainesville, saving renters about $6,804/year.

Median household income is $32,526/year higher in Port St. Lucie. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Port St. Lucie is $327,700 compared to $235,000 in Gainesville.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Port St. Lucie vs Gainesville — common questions

Is Port St. Lucie or Gainesville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Gainesville is cheaper to live in with an index of 81 compared to 113 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Port St. Lucie and Gainesville?
Median rent in Port St. Lucie is $1,781/month and in Gainesville it's $1,214/month — a difference of $567/month.
Which city has higher income, Port St. Lucie or Gainesville?
Median household income is $78,137 in Port St. Lucie and $45,611 in Gainesville. Median household income is $32,526/year higher in Port St. Lucie.
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 Gainesville?
It depends on your priorities. Port St. Lucie has a cost index of 113 with median rent of $1,781/mo, while Gainesville has a cost index of 81 with rent of $1,214/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Port St. Lucie details → View Gainesville details →

More Comparisons

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