Miami Gardens FL vs Port St. Lucie FL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Miami Gardens, FL
Florida · Population: 11,627
- Median HH Income$137,873
- Median Home Price$472,888
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+64.7%
Port St. Lucie, FL
Florida · Population: 220,453
- Median HH Income$78,137
- Median Home Price$327,700
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Miami Gardens
11,627
Port St. Lucie
220,453
Port St. Lucie +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami Gardens
N/A
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Median Age
Miami Gardens
37.7
Miami Gardens +
Port St. Lucie
43.7
Foreign Born
Miami Gardens
29.1%
Miami Gardens +
Port St. Lucie
19.5%
White
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Port St. Lucie
60.0%
Port St. Lucie +
Black
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Port St. Lucie
19.2%
Port St. Lucie +
Asian
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Miami Gardens +
Port St. Lucie
2.2%
Hispanic
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Miami Gardens +
Port St. Lucie
23.0%
Spanish at Home
Miami Gardens
N/A
Port St. Lucie
N/A
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,627 | 220,453 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 43.7 | Miami Gardens + |
| Foreign Born | 29.1% | 19.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| White | 52.5% | 60.0% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Black | 15.3% | 19.2% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 2.2% | Miami Gardens + |
| Hispanic | 34.0% | 23.0% | Miami Gardens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Port St. Lucie
$78,137
Per Capita Income
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Miami Gardens +
Port St. Lucie
$36,352
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Port St. Lucie
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Port St. Lucie
5.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Poverty Rate
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
Port St. Lucie
8.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +
Port St. Lucie
26.8%
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,873 | $78,137 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,003 | $36,352 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.9% | 8.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 64.7% | 26.8% | Miami Gardens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Port St. Lucie
$327,700
Port St. Lucie +
Homeownership Rate
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
Port St. Lucie
83.2%
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,888 | $327,700 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Homeownership Rate | 86.7% | 83.2% | Miami Gardens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
324
Port St. Lucie
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
1453
Port St. Lucie
1453
Tie
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 324 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1453 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
34.3%
Port St. Lucie
30.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Port St. Lucie
13.1%
Port St. Lucie +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami Gardens
17.5%
Port St. Lucie
16.6%
Port St. Lucie +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
15.4%
Port St. Lucie
12.9%
Port St. Lucie +
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 30.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 13.1% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 16.6% | Port St. Lucie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.4% | 14.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 12.9% | Port St. Lucie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami Gardens
N/A
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami Gardens
N/A
Port St. Lucie
N/A
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Port St. Lucie
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Port St. Lucie
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
Miami Gardens +
Port St. Lucie
32.0 min
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.2 min | 32.0 min | Miami Gardens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, while port St. Lucie offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $327,700. On public safety, Port St. Lucie is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Miami Gardens. Port St. Lucie has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Port St. Lucie has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Port St. Lucie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.5%.
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