Median rent is 1% lower in Riverside ($1,914/mo vs $1,937/mo). Buying is cheaper in Port St. Lucie, where the median home runs $369,200 versus $584,800. Households earn more in Riverside ($91,045 vs $80,648 a year). Taken together, Port St. Lucie is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 95.7 against 107.3 — about 11% lower overall prices.
Cost of living verdict
Port St. Lucie is 11% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 95.7 in Port St. Lucie vs 107.3 in Riverside (US national average = 100)
City A
Port St. Lucie, FL
City B
Riverside, CA
How much would you need to earn in Riverside, CA to maintain your standard of living from Port St. Lucie, FL?
Equivalent salary in Riverside, CA
$84,087
You'd need $9,087 more (12% 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
Riverside
California
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 rents are similar in both cities: $1,937/mo in Port St. Lucie and $1,914/mo in Riverside. Home buyers face a steeper market in Riverside: the median home is $584,800 versus $369,200 in Port St. Lucie — 37% 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.
Port St. Lucie
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Riverside
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Port St. Lucie has cleaner air on average: 47.0 AQI (Good) compared to 65.0 AQI (Moderate) 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 107.3).
Pick Riverside if you prioritize higher median household income ($91,045/yr).
Pick Port St. Lucie if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 47.0).
Is Port St. Lucie cheaper than Riverside?
Port St. Lucie is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 95.7 versus 107.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 11% lower in Port St. Lucie.
How much is rent in Port St. Lucie vs Riverside?
Median rent is $1,937/mo in Port St. Lucie, FL and $1,914/mo in Riverside, CA. Riverside, CA has the lower rent by about 1%.
Which has higher salaries — Port St. Lucie or Riverside?
Median household income is $80,648 in Port St. Lucie, FL and $91,045 in Riverside, CA. Riverside, CA 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: 47.0 AQI versus 65.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Port St. Lucie or Riverside?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Riverside 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 $112,116 in Riverside, CA (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
