Port St. Lucie FL vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Port St. Lucie
220,453
Port St. Lucie +
Providence
190,214
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Port St. Lucie
43.7
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Port St. Lucie
19.5%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Port St. Lucie
60.0%
Port St. Lucie +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Port St. Lucie
19.2%
Port St. Lucie +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
Port St. Lucie
2.2%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Port St. Lucie
23.0%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,453 | 190,214 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 19.5% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 60.0% | 40.7% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Black | 19.2% | 13.3% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 23.0% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Port St. Lucie
$78,137
Port St. Lucie +
Providence
$66,772
Per Capita Income
Port St. Lucie
$36,352
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Port St. Lucie
$65,328
Port St. Lucie +
Providence
$64,538
Unemployment Rate
Port St. Lucie
5.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Port St. Lucie
8.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Port St. Lucie
26.8%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,137 | $66,772 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,352 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $64,538 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.4% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.5% | 20.1% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Port St. Lucie
$327,700
Port St. Lucie +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Port St. Lucie
83.2%
Port St. Lucie +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $327,700 | $429,449 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Homeownership Rate | 83.2% | 41.2% | Port St. Lucie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Port St. Lucie
324
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Port St. Lucie
1453
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
30.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Providence
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
13.1%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Port St. Lucie
16.6%
Port St. Lucie +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
12.9%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.5% | 34.4% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 19.6% | Port St. Lucie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 14.6% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 16.7% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Providence, RI | 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.)
Port St. Lucie
7.2 µg/m³
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Port St. Lucie
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Port St. Lucie
32.0 min
Providence
27.4 min
Providence +
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.0 min | 27.4 min | Providence + |
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, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Port St. Lucie. Port St. Lucie has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Port St. Lucie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.5%.
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