Port St. Lucie FL vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Port St. Lucie
220,453
Port St. Lucie +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Port St. Lucie
43.7
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Port St. Lucie
19.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Salem
12.2%
White
Port St. Lucie
60.0%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Port St. Lucie
19.2%
Port St. Lucie +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Port St. Lucie
2.2%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Port St. Lucie
23.0%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,453 | 176,666 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 19.5% | 12.2% | Port St. Lucie + |
| White | 60.0% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 19.2% | 1.6% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 23.0% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Port St. Lucie
$78,137
Port St. Lucie +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Port St. Lucie
$36,352
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Port St. Lucie
$65,328
Port St. Lucie +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Port St. Lucie
5.5%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Port St. Lucie
8.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Port St. Lucie
26.8%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,137 | $71,900 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,352 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $63,691 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.5% | 14.7% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Port St. Lucie
$327,700
Port St. Lucie +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Port St. Lucie
83.2%
Port St. Lucie +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $327,700 | $438,754 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Homeownership Rate | 83.2% | 55.7% | Port St. Lucie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Port St. Lucie
324
Port St. Lucie +
Salem
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Port St. Lucie
1453
Port St. Lucie +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 355 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3001 | Port St. Lucie + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
30.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
13.1%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Port St. Lucie
16.6%
Port St. Lucie +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
12.9%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.5% | 41.4% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 18.8% | Port St. Lucie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 16.2% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Port St. Lucie
7.2 µg/m³
Port St. Lucie +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Port St. Lucie
75.0%
Port St. Lucie +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Port St. Lucie + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Port St. Lucie + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Port St. Lucie
32.0 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.0 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
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, Port St. Lucie is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Salem. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Port St. Lucie, FLLos Angeles, CA vs Port St. Lucie, FLChicago, IL vs Port St. Lucie, FLHouston, TX vs Port St. Lucie, FLPhoenix, AZ vs Port St. Lucie, FLPhiladelphia, PA vs Port St. Lucie, FL