Port St. Lucie FL vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Port St. Lucie
220,453
Port St. Lucie +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Port St. Lucie
43.7
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Port St. Lucie
19.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Tempe
13.9%
White
Port St. Lucie
60.0%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Port St. Lucie
19.2%
Port St. Lucie +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Port St. Lucie
2.2%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Port St. Lucie
23.0%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,453 | 186,419 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 19.5% | 13.9% | Port St. Lucie + |
| White | 60.0% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 19.2% | 7.8% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 23.0% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Port St. Lucie
$78,137
Port St. Lucie +
Tempe
$77,643
Per Capita Income
Port St. Lucie
$36,352
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Port St. Lucie
$65,328
Port St. Lucie +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Port St. Lucie
5.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Port St. Lucie
8.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Port St. Lucie
26.8%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,137 | $77,643 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,352 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.7% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.5% | 16.2% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Port St. Lucie
$327,700
Port St. Lucie +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Port St. Lucie
83.2%
Port St. Lucie +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $327,700 | $468,328 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Homeownership Rate | 83.2% | 41.6% | Port St. Lucie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Port St. Lucie
324
Port St. Lucie +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Port St. Lucie
1453
Port St. Lucie +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 450 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2150 | Port St. Lucie + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
30.5%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
13.1%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Port St. Lucie
16.6%
Tempe
16.6%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
12.9%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.5% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 16.6% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 18.3% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Tempe
9.3 in
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 9.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Port St. Lucie
7.2 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Port St. Lucie
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Port St. Lucie
32.0 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.0 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
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 450 in Tempe. Port St. Lucie has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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