Cost of Living: Port St. Lucie, FL vs Rochester, NY (2026)

Port St. Lucie

Florida
113
VS

Rochester

New York
61

Port St. Lucie is 85% more expensive than Rochester.

$1,781/mo ↑ 71%
Median Rent
$1,039/mo ↓ 42%
$78,137/yr ↑ 68%
Median Income
$46,628/yr ↓ 40%
$327,700 ↑ 172%
Home Value
$120,600 ↓ 63%
$1,507/mo ↑ 49%
Owner Costs
$1,009/mo ↓ 33%
220,453
Population
209,720

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
10.9%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
1.62%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Port St. Lucie, FL and Rochester, NY, the overall cost of living indices are 113 and 61 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $742/month cheaper in Rochester, saving renters about $8,904/year.

Median household income is $31,509/year higher in Port St. Lucie. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Port St. Lucie is $327,700 compared to $120,600 in Rochester.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Port St. Lucie residents a significant tax advantage over New York's 10.9% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Port St. Lucie vs Rochester — common questions

Is Port St. Lucie or Rochester cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Rochester is cheaper to live in with an index of 61 compared to 113 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Port St. Lucie and Rochester?
Median rent in Port St. Lucie is $1,781/month and in Rochester it's $1,039/month — a difference of $742/month.
Which city has higher income, Port St. Lucie or Rochester?
Median household income is $78,137 in Port St. Lucie and $46,628 in Rochester. Median household income is $31,509/year higher in Port St. Lucie.
How do taxes compare between Florida and New York?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. New York has 10.9% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 1.62% property tax.
Should I move to Port St. Lucie or Rochester?
It depends on your priorities. Port St. Lucie has a cost index of 113 with median rent of $1,781/mo, while Rochester has a cost index of 61 with rent of $1,039/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Port St. Lucie details → View Rochester details →

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