Median rent is 21% lower in Durham ($1,412/mo vs $1,781/mo). Buying is cheaper in Port St. Lucie, where the median home runs $327,700 versus $355,300. Households earn more in Durham ($79,234 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.
City A
Durham, 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 Durham, 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
Durham
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
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Durham — median rent of $1,412/mo versus $1,781/mo in Port St. Lucie, a 21% difference. Median home values are within 8% of each other: $355,300 in Durham and $327,700 in Port St. Lucie.
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; Durham has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Durham
Income tax: 4.50%
Sales tax: 4.75%
Port St. Lucie
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.00%
Port St. Lucie has cleaner air on average: 22.0 AQI (Good) compared to 55.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Durham if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,412/mo median).
Pick Port St. Lucie if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 22.0).
Pick Port St. Lucie if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Durham 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 Durham vs Port St. Lucie?
Median rent is $1,412/mo in Durham, NC and $1,781/mo in Port St. Lucie, FL. Durham, NC has the lower rent by about 21%.
Which has higher salaries — Durham or Port St. Lucie?
Median household income is $79,234 in Durham, NC and $78,137 in Port St. Lucie, FL. Durham, 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?
Port St. Lucie, FL has better air quality on average: 22.0 AQI versus 55.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Durham 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 Durham income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Durham, 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