Moving from Miami Gardens, FL to Port St. Lucie, FL
The 103 mi from Miami Gardens to Port St. Lucie translate to about 2h 1m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
103 mi Β· 2h 1m by car Β· FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | SR 817 |
| Major cities en route | West Palm Beach, Pompano Beach, Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale, Davie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Miami Gardens | 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 |
RPP moves from 114.155 to 100.228, putting Port St. Lucie roughly 12.2% below Miami Gardens on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Miami Gardens -2.9%, Port St. Lucie β. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Miami Gardens | Port St. Lucie |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76Β°F | 75Β°F |
| January avg low | 59Β°F | 57Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 68.3" | 58.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: N MIAMI BEACH #2, FL US, NETTLES IS, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Miami Gardens | Port St. Lucie |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,264 | 220,453 |
| Median household income | $60,979 | $78,137 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 43.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.6% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.78 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 12.2% between Miami Gardens and Port St. Lucie (ACS 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
Is Port St. Lucie more expensive than Miami Gardens?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Port St. Lucie is 12.2% lower than Miami Gardens (100.228 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Port St. Lucie compare to Miami Gardens?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,900 in the Port St. Lucie MSA vs $46,510 in the Miami Gardens 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 Miami Gardens vs Port St. Lucie?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $78,137 in Port St. Lucie vs $60,979 in Miami Gardens β a 28.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Miami Gardens 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 103 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 Miami Gardens, FL?
The driving distance is 103 mi and the route typically takes 2h 1m via SR 817. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Miami Gardens.
City profiles: Miami Gardens, FL Β· Port St. Lucie, FL.