Port St. Lucie FL vs Salinas CA — 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Port St. Lucie
220,453
Port St. Lucie +
Salinas
161,993
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Port St. Lucie
43.7
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Port St. Lucie
19.5%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Port St. Lucie
60.0%
Port St. Lucie +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Port St. Lucie
19.2%
Port St. Lucie +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Port St. Lucie
2.2%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Port St. Lucie
23.0%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,453 | 161,993 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 19.5% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 60.0% | 21.8% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Black | 19.2% | 1.4% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 23.0% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Port St. Lucie
$78,137
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Port St. Lucie
$36,352
Port St. Lucie +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Port St. Lucie
$65,328
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Port St. Lucie
5.5%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Port St. Lucie
8.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Port St. Lucie
26.8%
Port St. Lucie +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,137 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,352 | $28,813 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.5% | 14.2% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 15.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Port St. Lucie
$327,700
Port St. Lucie +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Port St. Lucie
83.2%
Port St. Lucie +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $327,700 | $751,711 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Homeownership Rate | 83.2% | 47.0% | Port St. Lucie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Port St. Lucie
324
Port St. Lucie +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Port St. Lucie
1453
Port St. Lucie +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Port St. Lucie + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
30.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Salinas
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
13.1%
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Port St. Lucie
16.6%
Port St. Lucie +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
12.9%
Salinas
12.9%
Tie
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.5% | 32.8% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.4% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 18.2% | Port St. Lucie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 22.4% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 16.8% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.9% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Salinas
15.5 in
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 15.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Port St. Lucie
7.2 µg/m³
Port St. Lucie +
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Port St. Lucie
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 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
Salinas
28.8 min
Salinas +
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.0 min | 28.8 min | Salinas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 503 in Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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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