Living in Port St. Lucie, FL
Port St. Lucie is the 86th-largest city in the US, home to about 268,000 people in 2025. It is growing fast: up 30.9% since 2020. Prices across the metro area run close to the national average (100.2 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 268,062+30.9% since 2020
- Median home value
- $369,2004.6 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,937/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $80,648median, per year
- Price level
- 100.2US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 74° / 91°lows 56° / 76°
- Average commute
- 31 min13% work from home
- State income tax
- Noneon wages
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County: St. Lucie County
Time zone: Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 in summer)
Elevation: about 16 ft
Metro area: Port St. Lucie, FL
Cost of living in Port St. Lucie
The median home in Port St. Lucie is worth $369,200 and the median household earns $80,648 a year, so a typical home costs about 4.6 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,937 a month, about 29% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Port St. Lucie, FL metro area at 100.2, with housing at 113.6 and goods at 96.2 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $75,200 here. Florida has no state income tax on wages. The average combined state and local sales tax in Florida is 6.98%.
What would my salary be worth in Port St. Lucie?
Port St. Lucie weather
Average highs run from 74°F in January to 91°F in July, and January nights average 56°F. It gets 63 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. Expect about 81 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are November to April.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Port St. Lucie
People and work
The median resident is 43.9 years old, and 28% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 84% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 30 minutes; 13% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 43.9527th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 28%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 84%of households
- People per sq mile
- 2,249119.2 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 0%1% walk, 0.4% bike
- Unemployment
- 6%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 9.5%of residents
- Typical home built
- 2002median year
Who moves to Port St. Lucie, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Miami (Miami-Dade County), Suffolk County, NY and Nassau County, NY. People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Miami (Miami-Dade County), Tampa (Hillsborough County) and Marion County, FL. See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
FEMA rating for St. Lucie County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: hurricane, lightning, strong wind.
Home prices
-0.6% in a year
Up 45% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Port St. Lucie, FL area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
79% good days
0 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Port St. Lucie, FL area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Port St. Lucie
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Indian River State College 9 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Port St. Lucie
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Vero Beach Regional Airport VRB | 25 mi | 88,608 |
| President Donald J. Trump International Airport PBI | 45 mi | 4,127,211 |
| Melbourne Orlando International Airport MLB | 59 mi | 348,283 |
| Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport FLL | 85 mi | 17,096,131 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Port St. Lucie
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian River State College | 9 mi | 11,822 | $2,617 | n/a |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Port St. Lucie
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before January 23, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around January 17 and the first frost comes around January 18.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Stuart, FL, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Port St. Lucie.
Wildfire smoke in Port St. Lucie
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Port St. Lucie on about 86 days a year, including about 3 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Port St. Lucie
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 83,952 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Port St. Lucie
Downtown Port St. Lucie is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Lucie County School District | Pre-K to 12 | 49,308 | 56 | 19.4 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Martin County School District (18,323 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Port St. Lucie's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Port St. Lucie's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Pearland, TX66% matchCompare
- League City, TX66% matchCompare
- Sugar Land, TX61% matchCompare
- Missouri City, TX60% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Port St. Lucie
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Pros and cons of living in Port St. Lucie
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Florida has no state income tax on wages.
- Data Winters are warm, with January highs around 74°F.
- Data The city is growing fast (+30.9% since 2020), a sign of jobs and new housing.
Cons
- Nothing stands out in the data. Locals, what should newcomers know?
Port St. Lucie report card from locals
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Port St. Lucie through locals' eyes
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Cities near Port St. Lucie
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Palm Beach, FL | 43 mi | 127,189 | $414,200 | 114.2 | Compare |
| Palm Bay, FL | 54 mi | 148,092 | $283,200 | 100.0 | Compare |
| Boynton Beach, FL | 56 mi | 82,396 | $351,100 | 114.2 | Compare |
| Melbourne, FL | 57 mi | 87,097 | $306,400 | 100.0 | Compare |
| Boca Raton, FL | 67 mi | 101,582 | $722,700 | 114.2 | Compare |
| Deerfield Beach, FL | 70 mi | 89,339 | $309,600 | 114.2 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Port St. Lucie with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Port St. Lucie a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show a growing population, no state income tax on wages, 6 comfortable months a year; the trade-offs are long commutes. Compare Port St. Lucie side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Port St. Lucie?
The Census Bureau estimates Port St. Lucie had 268,062 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 204,826 in April 2020 (+30.9%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Port St. Lucie?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $75,200 in the Port St. Lucie area. The median household here earns $80,648.
When is the best time to visit Port St. Lucie?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, November to April are the most comfortable months. July averages 91°F and January 74°F for daytime highs.
What county is Port St. Lucie in?
Port St. Lucie is in St. Lucie County, Florida. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Port St. Lucie in?
Port St. Lucie is on Eastern Time (UTC-5, or UTC-4 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Port St. Lucie?
Close to sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Florida have a state income tax?
No. Florida does not tax wage income.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Port St. Lucie. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Port St. Lucie, FL metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Stuart, FL station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.