Median rent is 15% lower in Colorado Springs ($1,648/mo vs $1,937/mo). Buying is cheaper in Port St. Lucie, where the median home runs $369,200 versus $452,600. Households earn more in Colorado Springs ($84,818 vs $80,648 a year). Taken together, Port St. Lucie is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 95.7 against 98.1 — about 2% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Colorado Springs, CO.
Cost of living verdict
Port St. Lucie is 2% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 95.7 in Port St. Lucie vs 98.1 in Colorado Springs (US national average = 100)
City A
Colorado Springs, CO
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 Colorado Springs, CO?
Equivalent salary in Port St. Lucie, FL
$73,187
You could earn $1,813 less (2% 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
Colorado Springs
Colorado
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 Colorado Springs at $1,648/mo compared to $1,937/mo in Port St. Lucie (15% gap). Median home values are within 18% of each other: $452,600 in Colorado Springs and $369,200 in Port St. Lucie.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Colorado Springs
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Port St. Lucie
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Colorado Springs has cleaner air on average: 23.0 AQI (Good) compared to 47.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Colorado Springs if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,648/mo median).
Pick Colorado Springs if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 23.0).
Is Colorado Springs cheaper than Port St. Lucie?
Port St. Lucie is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 95.7 versus 98.1 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 2% lower in Port St. Lucie.
How much is rent in Colorado Springs vs Port St. Lucie?
Median rent is $1,648/mo in Colorado Springs, CO and $1,937/mo in Port St. Lucie, FL. Colorado Springs, CO has the lower rent by about 15%.
Which has higher salaries — Colorado Springs or Port St. Lucie?
Median household income is $84,818 in Colorado Springs, CO and $80,648 in Port St. Lucie, FL. Colorado Springs, CO 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?
Colorado Springs, CO has better air quality on average: 23.0 AQI versus 47.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Colorado Springs 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 Colorado Springs income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Colorado Springs, CO is equivalent to roughly $97,582 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
