Port St. Lucie FL vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Port St. Lucie
220,453
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Port St. Lucie
43.7
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Port St. Lucie
19.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Washington
13.3%
White
Port St. Lucie
60.0%
Port St. Lucie +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Port St. Lucie
19.2%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Port St. Lucie
2.2%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Port St. Lucie
23.0%
Port St. Lucie +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,453 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 19.5% | 13.3% | Port St. Lucie + |
| White | 60.0% | 39.1% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Black | 19.2% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 23.0% | 11.6% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Port St. Lucie
$78,137
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Port St. Lucie
$36,352
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Port St. Lucie
$65,328
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Port St. Lucie
5.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Port St. Lucie
8.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Port St. Lucie
26.8%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,137 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,352 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.5% | 14.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Port St. Lucie
$327,700
Port St. Lucie +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Port St. Lucie
83.2%
Port St. Lucie +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $327,700 | $580,173 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Homeownership Rate | 83.2% | 41.1% | Port St. Lucie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Port St. Lucie
324
Port St. Lucie +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Port St. Lucie
1453
Port St. Lucie +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 398 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1999 | Port St. Lucie + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
30.5%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
13.1%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Port St. Lucie
16.6%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
12.9%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.5% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 24.0% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Port St. Lucie
7.2 µg/m³
Port St. Lucie +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Port St. Lucie
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 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
Port St. Lucie +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.0 min | 32.8 min | Port St. Lucie + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. Port St. Lucie has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Port St. Lucie has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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