Median rent is 17% lower in Port St. Lucie ($1,937/mo vs $2,322/mo). Buying is cheaper in Port St. Lucie, where the median home runs $369,200 versus $895,000. Households earn more in Arlington ($142,114 vs $80,648 a year). Taken together, Port St. Lucie is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 95.7 against 109.5 — about 13% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Arlington, VA.
Cost of living verdict
Port St. Lucie is 13% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 95.7 in Port St. Lucie vs 109.5 in Arlington (US national average = 100)
City A
Arlington, VA
City B
Port St. Lucie, FL
How much would you need to earn in Port St. Lucie, FL to maintain your standard of living from Arlington, VA?
Equivalent salary in Port St. Lucie, FL
$65,550
You could earn $9,450 less (13% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Arlington
Virginia
Port St. Lucie
Florida
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Port St. Lucie at $1,937/mo compared to $2,322/mo in Arlington (17% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Arlington: the median home is $895,000 versus $369,200 in Port St. Lucie — 59% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Arlington
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Port St. Lucie
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Arlington has cleaner air on average: 24.0 AQI (Good) compared to 47.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Port St. Lucie if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 95.7 vs 109.5).
Pick Arlington if you prioritize higher median household income ($142,114/yr).
Pick Port St. Lucie if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,937/mo median).
Pick Arlington if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 24.0).
Is Arlington cheaper than Port St. Lucie?
Port St. Lucie is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 95.7 versus 109.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 13% lower in Port St. Lucie.
How much is rent in Arlington vs Port St. Lucie?
Median rent is $2,322/mo in Arlington, VA and $1,937/mo in Port St. Lucie, FL. Port St. Lucie, FL has the lower rent by about 17%.
Which has higher salaries — Arlington or Port St. Lucie?
Median household income is $142,114 in Arlington, VA and $80,648 in Port St. Lucie, FL. Arlington, VA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Arlington, VA has better air quality on average: 24.0 AQI versus 47.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Arlington or Port St. Lucie?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Port St. Lucie to match my Arlington income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Arlington, VA is equivalent to roughly $87,400 in Port St. Lucie, FL (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
