Median rent is 23% lower in Worcester ($1,487/mo vs $1,937/mo). Buying is cheaper in Port St. Lucie, where the median home runs $369,200 versus $374,400. Households earn more in Port St. Lucie ($80,648 vs $70,102 a year). Taken together, Worcester is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 95.4 against 95.7 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Port St. Lucie, FL.
City A
Port St. Lucie, FL
City B
Worcester, MA
How much would you need to earn in Worcester, MA to maintain your standard of living from Port St. Lucie, FL?
Equivalent salary in Worcester, MA
$74,766
You could earn $234 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
Port St. Lucie
Florida
Worcester
Massachusetts
👥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 Worcester — median rent of $1,487/mo versus $1,937/mo in Port St. Lucie, a 23% difference. Median home values are within 1% of each other: $369,200 in Port St. Lucie and $374,400 in Worcester.
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
Worcester
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Worcester has cleaner air on average: 29.0 AQI (Good) compared to 47.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Port St. Lucie if you prioritize higher median household income ($80,648/yr).
Pick Worcester if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,487/mo median).
Pick Worcester if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 29.0).
Is Port St. Lucie cheaper than Worcester?
Worcester is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 95.4 versus 95.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Worcester.
How much is rent in Port St. Lucie vs Worcester?
Median rent is $1,937/mo in Port St. Lucie, FL and $1,487/mo in Worcester, MA. Worcester, MA has the lower rent by about 23%.
Which has higher salaries — Port St. Lucie or Worcester?
Median household income is $80,648 in Port St. Lucie, FL and $70,102 in Worcester, MA. 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?
Worcester, MA has better air quality on average: 29.0 AQI versus 47.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Port St. Lucie or Worcester?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Worcester 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 $99,688 in Worcester, MA (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
