Median rent is 37% lower in Spokane ($1,215/mo vs $1,937/mo). Buying is cheaper in Spokane, where the median home runs $363,500 versus $369,200. Households earn more in Port St. Lucie ($80,648 vs $70,064 a year). Taken together, Spokane is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 92.4 against 95.7 — about 4% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Port St. Lucie, FL.
Cost of living verdict
Spokane is 4% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 92.4 in Spokane vs 95.7 in Port St. Lucie (US national average = 100)
City A
Port St. Lucie, FL
City B
Spokane, WA
How much would you need to earn in Spokane, WA to maintain your standard of living from Port St. Lucie, FL?
Equivalent salary in Spokane, WA
$72,366
You could earn $2,634 less (4% 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
Port St. Lucie
Florida
Spokane
Washington
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
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Spokane — median rent of $1,215/mo versus $1,937/mo in Port St. Lucie, a 37% difference. Median home values are within 2% of each other: $369,200 in Port St. Lucie and $363,500 in Spokane.
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
Spokane
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Port St. Lucie has cleaner air on average: 47.0 AQI (Good) compared to 52.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Spokane if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 92.4 vs 95.7).
Pick Port St. Lucie if you prioritize higher median household income ($80,648/yr).
Pick Spokane if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,215/mo median).
Is Port St. Lucie cheaper than Spokane?
Spokane is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 92.4 versus 95.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 4% lower in Spokane.
How much is rent in Port St. Lucie vs Spokane?
Median rent is $1,937/mo in Port St. Lucie, FL and $1,215/mo in Spokane, WA. Spokane, WA has the lower rent by about 37%.
Which has higher salaries — Port St. Lucie or Spokane?
Median household income is $80,648 in Port St. Lucie, FL and $70,064 in Spokane, WA. Port St. Lucie, FL 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 52.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Port St. Lucie or Spokane?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Spokane 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 $96,488 in Spokane, WA (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
