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

Port St. Lucie

Florida
113
VS

Palm Bay

Florida
91

Port St. Lucie is 24% more expensive than Palm Bay.

$1,781/mo ↑ 20%
Median Rent
$1,487/mo ↓ 17%
$78,137/yr ↑ 16%
Median Income
$67,521/yr ↓ 14%
$327,700 ↑ 32%
Home Value
$248,000 ↓ 24%
$1,507/mo ↑ 25%
Owner Costs
$1,203/mo ↓ 20%
220,453
Population
125,273

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
26.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Port St. Lucie, FL and Palm Bay, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 113 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $294/month cheaper in Palm Bay, saving renters about $3,528/year.

Median household income is $10,616/year higher in Port St. Lucie. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Port St. Lucie is $327,700 compared to $248,000 in Palm Bay.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Port St. Lucie vs Palm Bay — common questions

Is Port St. Lucie or Palm Bay cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Palm Bay is cheaper to live in with an index of 91 compared to 113 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Port St. Lucie and Palm Bay?
Median rent in Port St. Lucie is $1,781/month and in Palm Bay it's $1,487/month — a difference of $294/month.
Which city has higher income, Port St. Lucie or Palm Bay?
Median household income is $78,137 in Port St. Lucie and $67,521 in Palm Bay. Median household income is $10,616/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 Palm Bay?
It depends on your priorities. Port St. Lucie has a cost index of 113 with median rent of $1,781/mo, while Palm Bay has a cost index of 91 with rent of $1,487/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Port St. Lucie details → View Palm Bay details →

More Comparisons

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