Cost of Living: Port St. Lucie, FL vs Paterson, NJ (2026)

Port St. Lucie

Florida
113
VS

Paterson

New Jersey
106

Port St. Lucie is 7% more expensive than Paterson.

$1,781/mo ↑ 22%
Median Rent
$1,457/mo ↓ 18%
$78,137/yr ↑ 45%
Median Income
$53,766/yr ↓ 31%
$327,700 ↓ 2%
Home Value
$335,400 ↑ 2%
$1,507/mo ↓ 3%
Owner Costs
$1,553/mo ↑ 3%
220,453
Population
157,660

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
10.75%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.625%
0.86%
Property Tax
2.23%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
32.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Port St. Lucie, FL and Paterson, NJ, the overall cost of living indices are 113 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $324/month cheaper in Paterson, saving renters about $3,888/year.

Median household income is $24,371/year higher in Port St. Lucie. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Port St. Lucie is $327,700 compared to $335,400 in Paterson.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Port St. Lucie residents a significant tax advantage over New Jersey's 10.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Port St. Lucie vs Paterson — common questions

Is Port St. Lucie or Paterson cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Paterson is cheaper to live in with an index of 106 compared to 113 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Port St. Lucie and Paterson?
Median rent in Port St. Lucie is $1,781/month and in Paterson it's $1,457/month — a difference of $324/month.
Which city has higher income, Port St. Lucie or Paterson?
Median household income is $78,137 in Port St. Lucie and $53,766 in Paterson. Median household income is $24,371/year higher in Port St. Lucie.
How do taxes compare between Florida and New Jersey?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. New Jersey has 10.75% income tax, 6.625% sales tax, and 2.23% property tax.
Should I move to Port St. Lucie or Paterson?
It depends on your priorities. Port St. Lucie has a cost index of 113 with median rent of $1,781/mo, while Paterson has a cost index of 106 with rent of $1,457/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Port St. Lucie details → View Paterson details →

More Comparisons

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