Port St. Lucie FL vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Port St. Lucie
220,453
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Port St. Lucie
43.7
Tampa
35.6
Tampa +
Foreign Born
Port St. Lucie
19.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Tampa
19.0%
White
Port St. Lucie
60.0%
Port St. Lucie +
Tampa
51.8%
Black
Port St. Lucie
19.2%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
Port St. Lucie
2.2%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
Port St. Lucie
23.0%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,453 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 35.6 | Tampa + |
| Foreign Born | 19.5% | 19.0% | Port St. Lucie + |
| White | 60.0% | 51.8% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Black | 19.2% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 23.0% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Port St. Lucie
$78,137
Port St. Lucie +
Tampa
$71,302
Per Capita Income
Port St. Lucie
$36,352
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Port St. Lucie
$65,328
Tampa
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Port St. Lucie
5.5%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Port St. Lucie
8.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Tampa
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Port St. Lucie
26.8%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,137 | $71,302 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,352 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.5% | 15.9% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Port St. Lucie
$327,700
Port St. Lucie +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
Port St. Lucie
83.2%
Port St. Lucie +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $327,700 | $376,530 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Homeownership Rate | 83.2% | 50.2% | Port St. Lucie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Port St. Lucie
324
Tampa
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Port St. Lucie
1453
Tampa
1453
Tie
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 324 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1453 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
30.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Tampa
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
13.1%
Tampa
12.5%
Tampa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Port St. Lucie
16.6%
Port St. Lucie +
Tampa
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
12.9%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.5% | 31.9% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.5% | Tampa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 17.4% | Port St. Lucie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 15.9% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 16.7% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 73.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Port St. Lucie
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Port St. Lucie
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Port St. Lucie
32.0 min
Tampa
26.8 min
Tampa +
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.0 min | 26.8 min | Tampa + |
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, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Port St. Lucie. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa 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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