Moving from Port St. Lucie, FL to Cape Coral, FL
It is a 137 mi drive, roughly 3h 14m, between Port St. Lucie, FL and Cape Coral, FL. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
137 mi · 3h 14m by car · FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | FL 78, FL 29, SR 80 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Port St. Lucie | Cape Coral | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.228 | 102.349 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.031 | 86.901 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 113.642 | 125.113 | 100.0 |
Port St. Lucie and Cape Coral sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Port St. Lucie —, Cape Coral -8.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Port St. Lucie | Cape Coral |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 57°F | 54°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | — |
| Annual precipitation | 58.9" | 57.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 75.2°F vs 75.4°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NETTLES IS, FL US, FT MYERS PAGE FLD AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Port St. Lucie | Cape Coral |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,453 | 206,387 |
| Median household income | $78,137 | $76,062 |
| Median age | 43.7 | 48.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 16.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.78 | 2.6 |
Household income lines up — $78,137 vs $76,062 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Cape Coral MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 37,470 | $40,320 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 34,020 | $35,490 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 31,420 | $29,800 |
| Construction and Extraction Occupations | 27,370 | $47,070 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 21,980 | $37,390 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Cape Coral average 92°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Cape Coral averages 57.4 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November — 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 Cape Coral compare to Port St. Lucie?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,330 in the Cape Coral MSA vs $40,900 in the Port St. Lucie MSA, on total employment of 290,450 and 163,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Cape Coral, FL from Port St. Lucie, FL?
The driving distance is 137 mi and the route typically takes 3h 14m via FL 78 and FL 29. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Port St. Lucie to Cape Coral?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 137 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Cape Coral more expensive than Port St. Lucie?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cape Coral is 2.1% higher than Port St. Lucie (102.349 vs 100.228, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Port St. Lucie vs Cape Coral?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,062 in Cape Coral vs $78,137 in Port St. Lucie — a 2.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Port St. Lucie.
City profiles: Port St. Lucie, FL · Cape Coral, FL.