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

Port St. Lucie

Florida
113
VS

West Palm Beach

Florida
119

Port St. Lucie is 5% cheaper than West Palm Beach.

$1,781/mo ↑ 4%
Median Rent
$1,709/mo ↓ 4%
$78,137/yr ↑ 13%
Median Income
$69,261/yr ↓ 11%
$327,700 ↓ 11%
Home Value
$369,800 ↑ 13%
$1,507/mo ↓ 10%
Owner Costs
$1,667/mo ↑ 11%
220,453
Population
119,508

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
29.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Port St. Lucie, FL and West Palm Beach, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 113 and 119 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $72/month cheaper in West Palm Beach, saving renters about $864/year.

Median household income is $8,876/year higher in Port St. Lucie. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Port St. Lucie is $327,700 compared to $369,800 in West Palm Beach.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Port St. Lucie vs West Palm Beach — common questions

Is Port St. Lucie or West Palm Beach cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Port St. Lucie is cheaper to live in with an index of 113 compared to 119 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Port St. Lucie and West Palm Beach?
Median rent in Port St. Lucie is $1,781/month and in West Palm Beach it's $1,709/month — a difference of $72/month.
Which city has higher income, Port St. Lucie or West Palm Beach?
Median household income is $78,137 in Port St. Lucie and $69,261 in West Palm Beach. Median household income is $8,876/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 West Palm Beach?
It depends on your priorities. Port St. Lucie has a cost index of 113 with median rent of $1,781/mo, while West Palm Beach has a cost index of 119 with rent of $1,709/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Port St. Lucie details → View West Palm Beach details →

More Comparisons

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