Port St. Lucie FL vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Port St. Lucie
220,453
Port St. Lucie +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Port St. Lucie
43.7
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Port St. Lucie
19.5%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Port St. Lucie
60.0%
Port St. Lucie +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Port St. Lucie
19.2%
Port St. Lucie +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Port St. Lucie
2.2%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Port St. Lucie
23.0%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,453 | 205,501 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 19.5% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 60.0% | 58.0% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Black | 19.2% | 12.1% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 23.0% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Port St. Lucie
$78,137
Port St. Lucie +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Port St. Lucie
$36,352
Port St. Lucie +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Port St. Lucie
$65,328
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Port St. Lucie
5.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Port St. Lucie
8.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Port St. Lucie
26.8%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,137 | $67,544 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,352 | $35,825 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.4% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.5% | 19.8% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Port St. Lucie
$327,700
Port St. Lucie +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Port St. Lucie
83.2%
Port St. Lucie +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $327,700 | $435,532 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Homeownership Rate | 83.2% | 42.4% | Port St. Lucie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Port St. Lucie
324
Port St. Lucie +
Worcester
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Port St. Lucie
1453
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 326 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
30.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
13.1%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Port St. Lucie
16.6%
Port St. Lucie +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
12.9%
Port St. Lucie +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.5% | 35.3% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 19.9% | Port St. Lucie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 17.1% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Port St. Lucie
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Port St. Lucie
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Worcester, MA | 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
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.0 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
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 326 in Worcester. Port St. Lucie has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Worcester 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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