Moving from Lowell, MA to Port St. Lucie, FL
Relocating 1385 mi from Lowell to Port St. Lucie is a 26h 31m drive through 12 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1385 mi Β· 26h 31m by car Β· FL β GA β SC β NC β VA β DC β MD β DE β NJ β NY β CT β MA
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β GA β SC β NC β VA β DC β MD β DE β NJ β NY β CT β MA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, NJTP, I 295 |
| Major cities en route | Palm Bay, Orlando, Jacksonville, Savannah, Fayetteville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lowell | Port St. Lucie | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.266 | 100.228 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.768 | 87.031 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.651 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.424 | 113.642 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 7.4% cheaper overall in Port St. Lucie than Lowell on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Lowell +0.4%, Port St. Lucie β. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lowell | Port St. Lucie |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49Β°F | 75Β°F |
| January avg low | 16Β°F | 57Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 48.5" | 58.9" |
Annual average temperature gap of 26.2Β°F β a meaningful climate change across the move.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LOWELL, MA US, NETTLES IS, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lowell | Port St. Lucie |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 220,453 |
| Median household income | $76,205 | $78,137 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 43.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.71 | 2.78 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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.
Moving between Massachusetts and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter β check 511NY.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (26.2Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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.
- Register to vote in Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Lowell vs Port St. Lucie?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $78,137 in Port St. Lucie vs $76,205 in Lowell β a 2.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Port St. Lucie more expensive than Lowell?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Port St. Lucie is 7.4% lower than Lowell (100.228 vs 108.266, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Port St. Lucie, FL from Lowell, MA?
The driving distance is 1385 mi and the route typically takes 26h 31m via I 95 and NJTP. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Lowell 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 1385 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 Lowell.
City profiles: Lowell, MA Β· Port St. Lucie, FL.