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

Port St. Lucie

Florida
113
VS

Lafayette

Louisiana
77

Port St. Lucie is 47% more expensive than Lafayette.

$1,781/mo ↑ 67%
Median Rent
$1,065/mo ↓ 40%
$78,137/yr ↑ 27%
Median Income
$61,454/yr ↓ 21%
$327,700 ↑ 30%
Home Value
$251,300 ↓ 23%
$1,507/mo ↑ 43%
Owner Costs
$1,057/mo ↓ 30%
220,453
Population
121,537

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.25%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.45%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.55%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Port St. Lucie, FL and Lafayette, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 113 and 77 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $716/month cheaper in Lafayette, saving renters about $8,592/year.

Median household income is $16,683/year higher in Port St. Lucie. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Port St. Lucie is $327,700 compared to $251,300 in Lafayette.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Port St. Lucie residents a significant tax advantage over Louisiana's 4.25% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Port St. Lucie vs Lafayette — common questions

Is Port St. Lucie or Lafayette cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lafayette is cheaper to live in with an index of 77 compared to 113 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Port St. Lucie and Lafayette?
Median rent in Port St. Lucie is $1,781/month and in Lafayette it's $1,065/month — a difference of $716/month.
Which city has higher income, Port St. Lucie or Lafayette?
Median household income is $78,137 in Port St. Lucie and $61,454 in Lafayette. Median household income is $16,683/year higher in Port St. Lucie.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Louisiana?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax.
Should I move to Port St. Lucie or Lafayette?
It depends on your priorities. Port St. Lucie has a cost index of 113 with median rent of $1,781/mo, while Lafayette has a cost index of 77 with rent of $1,065/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Port St. Lucie details → View Lafayette details →

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