Median rent is 17% lower in Chapel Hill ($1,483/mo vs $1,781/mo). Buying is cheaper in Port St. Lucie, where the median home runs $327,700 versus $576,500. Households earn more in Chapel Hill ($85,825 vs $78,137 a year). Taken together, Port St. Lucie is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 94.9 against 95.1 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Chapel Hill, NC.
City A
Chapel Hill, NC
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 Chapel Hill, NC?
Equivalent salary in Port St. Lucie, FL
$74,864
You could earn $136 less (0% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Chapel Hill
North Carolina
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: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Chapel Hill at $1,483/mo compared to $1,781/mo in Port St. Lucie (17% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Chapel Hill: the median home is $576,500 versus $327,700 in Port St. Lucie — 43% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Florida has no state income tax, while North Carolina tops out at 4.50% — giving Port St. Lucie a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 4.75% in North Carolina and 6.00% in Florida; Chapel Hill has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Chapel Hill
Income tax: 4.50%
Sales tax: 4.75%
Port St. Lucie
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.00%
Air quality data is available for Port St. Lucie (avg AQI 22.0) but not yet for Chapel Hill.
Pick Chapel Hill if you prioritize higher median household income ($85,825/yr).
Pick Chapel Hill if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,483/mo median).
Pick Port St. Lucie if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Chapel Hill cheaper than Port St. Lucie?
Port St. Lucie is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 94.9 versus 95.1 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Port St. Lucie.
How much is rent in Chapel Hill vs Port St. Lucie?
Median rent is $1,483/mo in Chapel Hill, NC and $1,781/mo in Port St. Lucie, FL. Chapel Hill, NC has the lower rent by about 17%.
Which has higher salaries — Chapel Hill or Port St. Lucie?
Median household income is $85,825 in Chapel Hill, NC and $78,137 in Port St. Lucie, FL. Chapel Hill, NC 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?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Chapel Hill or Port St. Lucie?
Florida has no state income tax. North Carolina has a top rate of 4.50%.
What salary do I need in Port St. Lucie to match my Chapel Hill income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Chapel Hill, NC is equivalent to roughly $99,819 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, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology