Moving from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Port St. Lucie, FL
It is a 88 mi drive, roughly 1h 49m, between Fort Lauderdale, FL and Port St. Lucie, FL. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
88 mi Β· 1h 49m by car Β· FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | SR 845, SR 814 |
| Major cities en route | West Palm Beach, Coral Springs, Pompano Beach, Davie, Hollywood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Lauderdale | Port St. Lucie | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 100.228 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 87.031 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 113.642 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 12.2% moving from Fort Lauderdale to Port St. Lucie β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Fort Lauderdale -4.9%, Port St. Lucie β. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fort Lauderdale | Port St. Lucie |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 77Β°F | 75Β°F |
| January avg low | 60Β°F | 57Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 64.3" | 58.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 76.9Β°F vs 75.2Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FT LAUDERDALE BEACH, FL US, NETTLES IS, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Lauderdale | Port St. Lucie |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 220,453 |
| Median household income | $79,935 | $78,137 |
| Median age | 42.9 | 43.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.8% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.27 | 2.78 |
Household income lines up β $79,935 vs $78,137 on 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
How does the job market in Port St. Lucie compare to Fort Lauderdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,900 in the Port St. Lucie MSA vs $46,510 in the Fort Lauderdale MSA, on total employment of 163,210 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Fort Lauderdale vs Port St. Lucie?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $78,137 in Port St. Lucie vs $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale β a 2.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Port St. Lucie more expensive than Fort Lauderdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Port St. Lucie is 12.2% lower than Fort Lauderdale (100.228 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Port St. Lucie, FL from Fort Lauderdale, FL?
The driving distance is 88 mi and the route typically takes 1h 49m via SR 845 and SR 814. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Fort Lauderdale 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 88 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fort Lauderdale.
City profiles: Fort Lauderdale, FL Β· Port St. Lucie, FL.