Moving from Clearwater, FL to Port St. Lucie, FL
Moving from Clearwater, FL to Port St. Lucie, FL covers 183 mi and about 3h 54m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
183 mi Β· 3h 54m by car Β· FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | FL 60, I 4, FL 570 TOLL |
| Major cities en route | Palm Bay, Lakeland, Tampa, St Petersburg |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Clearwater | Port St. Lucie | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.89 | 100.228 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.525 | 87.031 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.47 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.839 | 113.642 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Port St. Lucie and Clearwater is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Clearwater -5.1%, Port St. Lucie β. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Clearwater | Port St. Lucie |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74Β°F | 75Β°F |
| January avg low | 53Β°F | 57Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 53.6" | 58.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Clearwater (73.9Β°F) and Port St. Lucie (75.2Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST PETERSBURG INTL AP, FL US, NETTLES IS, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clearwater | Port St. Lucie |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 220,453 |
| Median household income | $64,440 | $78,137 |
| Median age | 46.4 | 43.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.78 |
Median household income in Port St. Lucie is 0.7% above Clearwater ($64,440 vs $78,137, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Port St. Lucie MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 20,870 | $39,520 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 18,390 | $29,160 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 17,270 | $33,620 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 14,330 | $36,220 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 12,650 | $72,910 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Pack rain gear on top: Port St. Lucie averages 58.9 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Clearwater to Port St. Lucie?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 183 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Port St. Lucie, FL from Clearwater, FL?
The driving distance is 183 mi and the route typically takes 3h 54m via FL 60 and I 4. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Port St. Lucie more expensive than Clearwater?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Port St. Lucie is 0.7% lower than Clearwater (100.228 vs 100.89, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Clearwater vs Port St. Lucie?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $78,137 in Port St. Lucie vs $64,440 in Clearwater β a 21.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Port St. Lucie compare to Clearwater?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,900 in the Port St. Lucie MSA vs $46,420 in the Clearwater MSA, on total employment of 163,210 and 1,412,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Clearwater.
City profiles: Clearwater, FL Β· Port St. Lucie, FL.