Cost of Living: Port St. Lucie, FL vs Surprise, AZ (2026)

Port St. Lucie

Florida
113
VS

Surprise

Arizona
126

Port St. Lucie is 10% cheaper than Surprise.

$1,781/mo ↓ 7%
Median Rent
$1,917/mo ↑ 8%
$78,137/yr ↓ 16%
Median Income
$93,371/yr ↑ 19%
$327,700 ↓ 17%
Home Value
$396,000 ↑ 21%
$1,507/mo ↓ 5%
Owner Costs
$1,587/mo ↑ 5%
220,453
Population
149,519

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
2.5%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
5.6%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.62%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Port St. Lucie, FL and Surprise, AZ, the overall cost of living indices are 113 and 126 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $136/month cheaper in Port St. Lucie, saving renters about $1,632/year.

Median household income is $15,234/year higher in Surprise. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Port St. Lucie is $327,700 compared to $396,000 in Surprise.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Port St. Lucie residents a significant tax advantage over Arizona's 2.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Port St. Lucie vs Surprise — common questions

Is Port St. Lucie or Surprise cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Port St. Lucie is cheaper to live in with an index of 113 compared to 126 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Port St. Lucie and Surprise?
Median rent in Port St. Lucie is $1,781/month and in Surprise it's $1,917/month — a difference of $136/month.
Which city has higher income, Port St. Lucie or Surprise?
Median household income is $78,137 in Port St. Lucie and $93,371 in Surprise. Median household income is $15,234/year higher in Surprise.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Arizona?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Arizona has 2.5% income tax, 5.6% sales tax, and 0.62% property tax.
Should I move to Port St. Lucie or Surprise?
It depends on your priorities. Port St. Lucie has a cost index of 113 with median rent of $1,781/mo, while Surprise has a cost index of 126 with rent of $1,917/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Port St. Lucie details → View Surprise details →

More Comparisons

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