Moving from Port St. Lucie, FL to Chattanooga, TN
Relocating 671 mi from Port St. Lucie to Chattanooga is a 12h 17m drive through 3 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.
671 mi Β· 12h 17m by car Β· FL β GA β TN
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β GA β TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 75, I 475, I 24 |
| Major cities en route | Palm Bay, Orlando, Gainesville, South Fulton, Atlanta |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Port St. Lucie | Chattanooga | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.228 | 91.464 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.031 | 74.209 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 95.994 | 100.0 |
| Services | 113.642 | 76.55 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 8.7% moving from Port St. Lucie to Chattanooga 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: Port St. Lucie β, Chattanooga -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Port St. Lucie | Chattanooga |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 57Β°F | 32Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 58.9" | 55.0" |
Expect 13.3Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Expect 3.6 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NETTLES IS, FL US, CHATTANOOGA LOVELL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Port St. Lucie | Chattanooga |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,453 | 182,832 |
| Median household income | $78,137 | $61,028 |
| Median age | 43.7 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.78 | 2.35 |
Expect median household income to fall 8.7% β $78,137 β $61,028 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Chattanooga MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 34,970 | $39,520 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 27,430 | $36,320 |
| Production Occupations | 26,510 | $43,150 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 24,780 | $27,910 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 22,460 | $31,750 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Florida and Tennessee
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Tennessee'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 the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Chattanooga average 91Β°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: Chattanooga averages 55.0 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (13.3Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Tennessee after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Chattanooga more expensive than Port St. Lucie?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chattanooga is 8.7% lower than Port St. Lucie (91.464 vs 100.228, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Chattanooga compare to Port St. Lucie?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,150 in the Chattanooga MSA vs $40,900 in the Port St. Lucie MSA, on total employment of 261,750 and 163,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Port St. Lucie vs Chattanooga?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $61,028 in Chattanooga vs $78,137 in Port St. Lucie β a 21.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Chattanooga, TN from Port St. Lucie, FL?
The driving distance is 671 mi and the route typically takes 12h 17m via I 75 and I 475. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Port St. Lucie to Chattanooga?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 671 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 Port St. Lucie.
City profiles: Port St. Lucie, FL Β· Chattanooga, TN.