Moving from Port St. Lucie, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL
It is a 88 mi drive, roughly 1h 49m, between Port St. Lucie, FL and Fort Lauderdale, 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
| Port St. Lucie | Fort Lauderdale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.228 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.031 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 113.642 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 13.9% above Port St. Lucie β 100.228 β 114.155 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Port St. Lucie β, Fort Lauderdale -4.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Port St. Lucie | Fort Lauderdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75Β°F | 77Β°F |
| January avg low | 57Β°F | 60Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 58.9" | 64.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Fort Lauderdale β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NETTLES IS, FL US, FT LAUDERDALE BEACH, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Port St. Lucie | Fort Lauderdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,453 | 183,032 |
| Median household income | $78,137 | $79,935 |
| Median age | 43.7 | 42.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 23.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.78 | 2.27 |
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 Fort Lauderdale MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 393,730 | $41,640 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 306,440 | $37,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 261,940 | $30,720 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 239,610 | $37,610 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 194,910 | $77,760 |
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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Fort Lauderdale 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: Fort Lauderdale averages 64.3 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 Fort Lauderdale compare to Port St. Lucie?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Fort Lauderdale MSA vs $40,900 in the Port St. Lucie MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 163,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Fort Lauderdale more expensive than Port St. Lucie?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Lauderdale is 13.9% higher than Port St. Lucie (114.155 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 Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale vs $78,137 in Port St. Lucie β a 2.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Fort Lauderdale, FL from Port St. Lucie, 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 Port St. Lucie to Fort Lauderdale?
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 Port St. Lucie.
City profiles: Port St. Lucie, FL Β· Fort Lauderdale, FL.