Port St. Lucie FL vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Port St. Lucie
220,453
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Port St. Lucie
43.7
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Port St. Lucie
19.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Raleigh
13.6%
White
Port St. Lucie
60.0%
Port St. Lucie +
Raleigh
53.8%
Black
Port St. Lucie
19.2%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Port St. Lucie
2.2%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Port St. Lucie
23.0%
Port St. Lucie +
Raleigh
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,453 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 19.5% | 13.6% | Port St. Lucie + |
| White | 60.0% | 53.8% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Black | 19.2% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 23.0% | 12.7% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Port St. Lucie
$78,137
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Port St. Lucie
$36,352
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Port St. Lucie
$65,328
Port St. Lucie +
Raleigh
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Port St. Lucie
5.5%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Port St. Lucie
8.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Raleigh
11.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Port St. Lucie
26.8%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,137 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,352 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.5% | 11.4% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Port St. Lucie
$327,700
Port St. Lucie +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Port St. Lucie
83.2%
Port St. Lucie +
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $327,700 | $435,807 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Homeownership Rate | 83.2% | 51.2% | Port St. Lucie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Port St. Lucie
324
Port St. Lucie +
Raleigh
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Port St. Lucie
1453
Port St. Lucie +
Raleigh
1999
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 398 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1999 | Port St. Lucie + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
30.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Raleigh
30.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
13.1%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Port St. Lucie
16.6%
Raleigh
16.6%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Raleigh
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
12.9%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.5% | 30.9% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 16.6% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 15.3% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Port St. Lucie
7.2 µg/m³
Port St. Lucie +
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Port St. Lucie
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Port St. Lucie + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Port St. Lucie
32.0 min
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.0 min | 25.1 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, 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 398 in Raleigh. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, 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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