City Comparison
Clearwater vs Port St. Lucie
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Port St. Lucie scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Clearwater
Port St. Lucie
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Clearwater is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
8% lower than in Port St. Lucie.
Housing costs are a major driver: Clearwater's average rent is
10% lower than Port St. Lucie's.
| Metric | Clearwater | Port St. Lucie | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,950 | -10% |
| Groceries | $420 | $420 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $115 | $135 | -15% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $240 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,700 | $2,920 | -8% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Port St. Lucie offers 2% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Port St. Lucie delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Clearwater is estimated at
$54,000 vs $58,000 in Port St. Lucie.
| Metric | Clearwater | Port St. Lucie |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $63,000 | $64,500 |
| Salary Needed | $54,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,765 idx | 65,816 idx |
| Household Income | $65,400 | $74,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.1°F of each other.
For sunshine, Clearwater comes out ahead with 24 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
| Metric | Clearwater | Port St. Lucie |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 73.40°F | 75.50°F |
| Summer High | 88.90°F | 90.10°F |
| Winter Low | 54.10°F | 59.50°F |
| Rainfall | 42.30 in | 45.30 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 231 | 207 |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 72.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Clearwater has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Port St. Lucie.
Clearwater scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Clearwater leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Clearwater | Port St. Lucie |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Port St. Lucie is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Clearwater.
From a growth perspective, Port St. Lucie is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Port St. Lucie has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Clearwater | Port St. Lucie |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,292 | 238,124 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 2.40% |
| Median Age | 44.0 | 42.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Clearwater
Advantages
Home to Clearwater Beach, consistently ranked among the top beaches in the United States by TripAdvisor.
Abundant sunshine averaging 231 sunny days per year with warm winters averaging a low of 54.1°F.
World-class healthcare access anchored by Morton Plant Hospital and the extensive BayCare Health System.
No state personal income tax in Florida, providing financial relief for residents and retirees.
Vibrant outdoor lifestyle with extensive opportunities for boating, fishing, and park recreation.
Drawbacks
High homeowners insurance rates and vulnerability to tropical storms and hurricanes along the coast.
Significant seasonal traffic congestion, particularly along routes leading to Clearwater Beach.
Higher-than-average housing and rental costs driven by strong coastal real estate demand.
High reliance on automobile transportation with limited heavy rail public transit options.
Summer heat and humidity can be intense during peak months from June through September.
Port St. Lucie
Advantages
Violent and property crime rates consistently rank significantly below both Florida and national averages per FBI crime data.
Master-planned communities like Tradition offer modern infrastructure, walkable town centers, and dedicated green spaces.
Housing remains notably more affordable than in nearby South Florida metropolitan areas like Miami and Fort Lauderdale.
Abundant outdoor recreational amenities including public golf courses, parks, and proximity to the Treasure Coast beaches.
Strong local job growth driven by healthcare expansions at Cleveland Clinic Tradition and HCA Florida Healthcare.
Drawbacks
High car dependency makes the city less viable for residents seeking comprehensive public transit or walk-everywhere urban living.
Rapid population growth has outpaced certain segments of road infrastructure, leading to peak-hour traffic congestion on arterial routes.
Home prices and rental rates have experienced sharp upward pressure since 2024, squeezing affordability for median-income workers.
Summer temperatures and high humidity levels limit comfortable outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours.
Vulnerability to seasonal tropical weather events and hurricanes requires continuous emergency preparedness.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Clearwater
#350Florida, USA
59.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$63,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
231/yr
Avg Temp
73.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
76
Business
70
Port St. Lucie
#67Florida, USA
69.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$64,500
Cost Index
98
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
207/yr
Avg Temp
75.50°F
Pop. Growth
2.40%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
79
Business
71
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