Median rent is 19% lower in Raleigh ($1,572/mo vs $1,937/mo). Buying is cheaper in Port St. Lucie, where the median home runs $369,200 versus $415,800. Households earn more in Raleigh ($85,395 vs $80,648 a year). Taken together, Port St. Lucie is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 95.7 against 98.4 — about 3% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Raleigh, NC.
Cost of living verdict
Port St. Lucie is 3% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 95.7 in Port St. Lucie vs 98.4 in Raleigh (US national average = 100)
City A
Port St. Lucie, FL
City B
Raleigh, NC
How much would you need to earn in Raleigh, NC to maintain your standard of living from Port St. Lucie, FL?
Equivalent salary in Raleigh, NC
$77,048
You'd need $2,048 more (3% higher).
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
Port St. Lucie
Florida
Raleigh
North Carolina
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 Raleigh at $1,572/mo compared to $1,937/mo in Port St. Lucie (19% gap). Median home values are within 11% of each other: $369,200 in Port St. Lucie and $415,800 in Raleigh.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Port St. Lucie
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Raleigh
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Both cities have similar air quality: Port St. Lucie averages 47.0 AQI (Good) and Raleigh averages 47.0 AQI (Good).
Pick Raleigh if you prioritize higher median household income ($85,395/yr).
Pick Raleigh if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,572/mo median).
Is Port St. Lucie cheaper than Raleigh?
Port St. Lucie is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 95.7 versus 98.4 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 3% lower in Port St. Lucie.
How much is rent in Port St. Lucie vs Raleigh?
Median rent is $1,937/mo in Port St. Lucie, FL and $1,572/mo in Raleigh, NC. Raleigh, NC has the lower rent by about 19%.
Which has higher salaries — Port St. Lucie or Raleigh?
Median household income is $80,648 in Port St. Lucie, FL and $85,395 in Raleigh, NC. Raleigh, 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?
Raleigh, NC has better air quality on average: 47.0 AQI versus 47.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Port St. Lucie or Raleigh?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Raleigh to match my Port St. Lucie income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Port St. Lucie, FL is equivalent to roughly $102,730 in Raleigh, NC (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
