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

Port St. Lucie

Florida
113
VS

Tempe

Arizona
120

Port St. Lucie is 6% cheaper than Tempe.

$1,781/mo ↑ 10%
Median Rent
$1,623/mo ↓ 9%
$78,137/yr ≈ Same
Median Income
$77,643/yr ≈ Same
$327,700 ↓ 22%
Home Value
$421,900 ↑ 29%
$1,507/mo ↓ 3%
Owner Costs
$1,554/mo ↑ 3%
220,453
Population
186,419

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
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Port St. Lucie, FL and Tempe, AZ, the overall cost of living indices are 113 and 120 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $158/month cheaper in Tempe, saving renters about $1,896/year.

Median household income is $494/year higher in Port St. Lucie. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Port St. Lucie is $327,700 compared to $421,900 in Tempe.

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 Tempe — common questions

Is Port St. Lucie or Tempe cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Port St. Lucie is cheaper to live in with an index of 113 compared to 120 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Port St. Lucie and Tempe?
Median rent in Port St. Lucie is $1,781/month and in Tempe it's $1,623/month — a difference of $158/month.
Which city has higher income, Port St. Lucie or Tempe?
Median household income is $78,137 in Port St. Lucie and $77,643 in Tempe. Median household income is $494/year higher in Port St. Lucie.
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 Tempe?
It depends on your priorities. Port St. Lucie has a cost index of 113 with median rent of $1,781/mo, while Tempe has a cost index of 120 with rent of $1,623/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Port St. Lucie details → View Tempe details →

More Comparisons

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