City Comparison
Port St. Lucie vs Tampa
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Port St. Lucie scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Port St. Lucie
Tampa
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Port St. Lucie is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Tampa.
| Metric | Port St. Lucie | Tampa | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,800 | +8% |
| Groceries | $420 | $552 | -24% |
| Utilities | $175 | $294 | -40% |
| Transport | $135 | $120 | +13% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,920 | $3,016 | -3% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 100 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tampa offers 1% 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 Port St. Lucie is estimated at
$58,000 vs $70,000 in Tampa.
| Metric | Port St. Lucie | Tampa |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,500 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $70,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,816 idx | 65,000 idx |
| Household Income | $74,500 | $84,114 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Port St. Lucie runs warmer on average — a 75.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Port St. Lucie comes out ahead with 207 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Port St. Lucie sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Port St. Lucie | Tampa |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 75.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 90.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 59.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 45.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 207 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Tampa has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Port St. Lucie.
Port St. Lucie scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Tampa leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Port St. Lucie | Tampa |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 31.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 50.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tampa is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Port St. Lucie.
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 | Port St. Lucie | Tampa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 238,124 | 419,635 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.40% | 1.47% |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 4.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Tampa
Advantages
Tampa's job market is experiencing significant growth, particularly in education, health services, and financial activities.
The city has seen a substantial reduction in total crime (14.8%) and violent crime (8.4%) in 2024.
The median household income in Tampa increased by over 15% between 2023 and 2024.
Tampa offers a high quality of life with abundant outdoor activities and a vibrant cultural scene.
Healthcare costs in Tampa are generally lower than the Florida state average.
Drawbacks
The violent crime rate in Tampa (444.6 per 100,000) was higher than the national average in 2024.
Housing costs, particularly median home values, have seen a significant increase, making homeownership less accessible for some.
Tampa's population growth rate has slowed in 2024 compared to previous years, with fewer new residents moving to the city.
The city's overall walkability score is moderate, indicating a reliance on cars for many errands.
The unemployment rate in Tampa (4.8% in April 2026) is slightly above the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Tampa
#517Florida, USA
51.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
100
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
31.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.47%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
70
Business
75
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