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

Port St. Lucie

Florida
113
VS

Joliet

Illinois
88

Port St. Lucie is 28% more expensive than Joliet.

$1,781/mo ↑ 44%
Median Rent
$1,237/mo ↓ 31%
$78,137/yr ↓ 11%
Median Income
$88,026/yr ↑ 13%
$327,700 ↑ 32%
Home Value
$248,600 ↓ 24%
$1,507/mo ↑ 2%
Owner Costs
$1,472/mo ↓ 2%
220,453
Population
149,785

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.95%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.86%
Property Tax
2.07%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
16.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Port St. Lucie, FL and Joliet, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 113 and 88 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $544/month cheaper in Joliet, saving renters about $6,528/year.

Median household income is $9,889/year higher in Joliet. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Port St. Lucie is $327,700 compared to $248,600 in Joliet.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Port St. Lucie residents a significant tax advantage over Illinois's 4.95% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Port St. Lucie vs Joliet — common questions

Is Port St. Lucie or Joliet cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Joliet is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 113 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Port St. Lucie and Joliet?
Median rent in Port St. Lucie is $1,781/month and in Joliet it's $1,237/month — a difference of $544/month.
Which city has higher income, Port St. Lucie or Joliet?
Median household income is $78,137 in Port St. Lucie and $88,026 in Joliet. Median household income is $9,889/year higher in Joliet.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Illinois?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Illinois has 4.95% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 2.07% property tax.
Should I move to Port St. Lucie or Joliet?
It depends on your priorities. Port St. Lucie has a cost index of 113 with median rent of $1,781/mo, while Joliet has a cost index of 88 with rent of $1,237/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Port St. Lucie details → View Joliet details →

More Comparisons

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