Cost of Living: Port St. Lucie, FL vs Las Cruces, NM (2026)

Port St. Lucie

Florida
113
VS

Las Cruces

New Mexico
68

Port St. Lucie is 66% more expensive than Las Cruces.

$1,781/mo ↑ 88%
Median Rent
$946/mo ↓ 47%
$78,137/yr ↑ 42%
Median Income
$55,176/yr ↓ 29%
$327,700 ↑ 51%
Home Value
$217,400 ↓ 34%
$1,507/mo ↑ 55%
Owner Costs
$974/mo ↓ 35%
220,453
Population
112,612

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.9%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
5.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.67%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Port St. Lucie, FL and Las Cruces, NM, the overall cost of living indices are 113 and 68 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $835/month cheaper in Las Cruces, saving renters about $10,020/year.

Median household income is $22,961/year higher in Port St. Lucie. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Port St. Lucie is $327,700 compared to $217,400 in Las Cruces.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Port St. Lucie residents a significant tax advantage over New Mexico's 5.9% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Port St. Lucie vs Las Cruces — common questions

Is Port St. Lucie or Las Cruces cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Las Cruces is cheaper to live in with an index of 68 compared to 113 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Port St. Lucie and Las Cruces?
Median rent in Port St. Lucie is $1,781/month and in Las Cruces it's $946/month — a difference of $835/month.
Which city has higher income, Port St. Lucie or Las Cruces?
Median household income is $78,137 in Port St. Lucie and $55,176 in Las Cruces. Median household income is $22,961/year higher in Port St. Lucie.
How do taxes compare between Florida and New Mexico?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. New Mexico has 5.9% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 0.67% property tax.
Should I move to Port St. Lucie or Las Cruces?
It depends on your priorities. Port St. Lucie has a cost index of 113 with median rent of $1,781/mo, while Las Cruces has a cost index of 68 with rent of $946/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Port St. Lucie details → View Las Cruces details →

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