Cost of Living: Port St. Lucie, FL vs Wilmington, NC (2026)

Port St. Lucie

Florida
113
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

Port St. Lucie is 13% more expensive than Wilmington.

$1,781/mo ↑ 36%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↓ 26%
$78,137/yr ↑ 22%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↓ 18%
$327,700 ↓ 6%
Home Value
$350,300 ↑ 7%
$1,507/mo ↑ 10%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↓ 9%
220,453
Population
118,578

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.5%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

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

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Port St. Lucie, FL and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 113 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $470/month cheaper in Wilmington, saving renters about $5,640/year.

Median household income is $14,237/year higher in Port St. Lucie. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Port St. Lucie is $327,700 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Port St. Lucie residents a significant tax advantage over North Carolina's 4.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Port St. Lucie vs Wilmington — common questions

Is Port St. Lucie or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Wilmington is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 113 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Port St. Lucie and Wilmington?
Median rent in Port St. Lucie is $1,781/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $470/month.
Which city has higher income, Port St. Lucie or Wilmington?
Median household income is $78,137 in Port St. Lucie and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $14,237/year higher in Port St. Lucie.
How do taxes compare between Florida and North Carolina?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Port St. Lucie or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. Port St. Lucie has a cost index of 113 with median rent of $1,781/mo, while Wilmington has a cost index of 100 with rent of $1,311/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Port St. Lucie details → View Wilmington details →

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