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

Port St. Lucie

Florida
113
VS

Metairie

Louisiana
88

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

$1,781/mo ↑ 54%
Median Rent
$1,159/mo ↓ 35%
$78,137/yr ↑ 7%
Median Income
$73,256/yr ↓ 6%
$327,700 ↑ 6%
Home Value
$308,900 ↓ 6%
$1,507/mo ↑ 27%
Owner Costs
$1,186/mo ↓ 21%
220,453
Population
138,995

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
19.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Port St. Lucie, FL and Metairie, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 113 and 88 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $622/month cheaper in Metairie, saving renters about $7,464/year.

Median household income is $4,881/year higher in Port St. Lucie. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Port St. Lucie is $327,700 compared to $308,900 in Metairie.

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 Metairie — common questions

Is Port St. Lucie or Metairie cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Metairie 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 Metairie?
Median rent in Port St. Lucie is $1,781/month and in Metairie it's $1,159/month — a difference of $622/month.
Which city has higher income, Port St. Lucie or Metairie?
Median household income is $78,137 in Port St. Lucie and $73,256 in Metairie. Median household income is $4,881/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 Metairie?
It depends on your priorities. Port St. Lucie has a cost index of 113 with median rent of $1,781/mo, while Metairie has a cost index of 88 with rent of $1,159/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Port St. Lucie details → View Metairie details →

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