Port St. Lucie FL vs Santa Rosa 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%
Santa Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Port St. Lucie
220,453
Port St. Lucie +
Santa Rosa
129,239
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Port St. Lucie
43.7
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Port St. Lucie
19.5%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Port St. Lucie
60.0%
Port St. Lucie +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Port St. Lucie
19.2%
Port St. Lucie +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Port St. Lucie
2.2%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Port St. Lucie
23.0%
Port St. Lucie +
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,453 | 129,239 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 19.5% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 60.0% | 31.9% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Black | 19.2% | 2.1% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 23.0% | 16.1% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Port St. Lucie
$78,137
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Port St. Lucie
$36,352
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Port St. Lucie
$65,328
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Port St. Lucie
5.5%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Port St. Lucie
8.5%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Port St. Lucie
26.8%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,137 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,352 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.5% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Port St. Lucie
$327,700
Port St. Lucie +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Port St. Lucie
83.2%
Port St. Lucie +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $327,700 | $720,443 | 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
Port St. Lucie +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Port St. Lucie
1453
Port St. Lucie +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Santa Rosa, 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%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
13.1%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Port St. Lucie
16.6%
Port St. Lucie +
Santa Rosa
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
12.9%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.5% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 16.7% | Port St. Lucie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 15.8% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 59.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 32.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Port St. Lucie
7.2 µg/m³
Port St. Lucie +
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Port St. Lucie
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Santa Rosa, 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
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.0 min | 25.2 min | Santa Rosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, 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 Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Port St. Lucie has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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