Port St. Lucie FL vs Portland ME — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Port St. Lucie, FL
Florida · Population: 220,453
- Median HH Income$78,137
- Median Home Price$327,700
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Port St. Lucie
220,453
Port St. Lucie +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Port St. Lucie
43.7
Portland
37.5
Portland +
Foreign Born
Port St. Lucie
19.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Portland
11.1%
White
Port St. Lucie
60.0%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Port St. Lucie
19.2%
Port St. Lucie +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Port St. Lucie
2.2%
Portland
3.2%
Portland +
Hispanic
Port St. Lucie
23.0%
Port St. Lucie +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,453 | 68,505 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 37.5 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 19.5% | 11.1% | Port St. Lucie + |
| White | 60.0% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 19.2% | 9.0% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 3.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 23.0% | 3.1% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Port St. Lucie
$78,137
Port St. Lucie +
Portland
$76,174
Per Capita Income
Port St. Lucie
$36,352
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Port St. Lucie
$65,328
Port St. Lucie +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Port St. Lucie
5.5%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Port St. Lucie
8.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Portland
11.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Port St. Lucie
26.8%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,137 | $76,174 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,352 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $61,587 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.5% | 11.3% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Port St. Lucie
$327,700
Port St. Lucie +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Port St. Lucie
83.2%
Port St. Lucie +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $327,700 | $561,069 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Homeownership Rate | 83.2% | 46.7% | Port St. Lucie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Port St. Lucie
324
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Port St. Lucie
1453
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
30.5%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
13.1%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Port St. Lucie
16.6%
Port St. Lucie +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
12.9%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.5% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 17.8% | Port St. Lucie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 18.3% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Portland
46.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Port St. Lucie
7.2 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Port St. Lucie
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Port St. Lucie
32.0 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.0 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Port St. Lucie leads in median household income at $78,137, while port St. Lucie offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $327,700. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Port St. Lucie. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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