Median rent is 12% lower in Virginia Beach ($1,714/mo vs $1,937/mo). Buying is cheaper in Port St. Lucie, where the median home runs $369,200 versus $382,500. Households earn more in Virginia Beach ($92,968 vs $80,648 a year). Taken together, Port St. Lucie is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 95.7 against 97.7 — about 2% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Virginia Beach, VA.
Cost of living verdict
Port St. Lucie is 2% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 95.7 in Port St. Lucie vs 97.7 in Virginia Beach (US national average = 100)
City A
Port St. Lucie, FL
City B
Virginia Beach, VA
How much would you need to earn in Virginia Beach, VA to maintain your standard of living from Port St. Lucie, FL?
Equivalent salary in Virginia Beach, VA
$76,552
You'd need $1,552 more (2% 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
Virginia Beach
Virginia
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 Virginia Beach at $1,714/mo compared to $1,937/mo in Port St. Lucie (12% gap). Median home values are within 3% of each other: $369,200 in Port St. Lucie and $382,500 in Virginia Beach.
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
Virginia Beach
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Virginia Beach has cleaner air on average: 45.0 AQI (Good) compared to 47.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Virginia Beach if you prioritize higher median household income ($92,968/yr).
Pick Virginia Beach if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,714/mo median).
Is Port St. Lucie cheaper than Virginia Beach?
Port St. Lucie is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 95.7 versus 97.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 2% lower in Port St. Lucie.
How much is rent in Port St. Lucie vs Virginia Beach?
Median rent is $1,937/mo in Port St. Lucie, FL and $1,714/mo in Virginia Beach, VA. Virginia Beach, VA has the lower rent by about 12%.
Which has higher salaries — Port St. Lucie or Virginia Beach?
Median household income is $80,648 in Port St. Lucie, FL and $92,968 in Virginia Beach, VA. Virginia Beach, VA 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?
Virginia Beach, VA has better air quality on average: 45.0 AQI versus 47.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Port St. Lucie or Virginia Beach?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Virginia Beach 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 $102,069 in Virginia Beach, VA (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
