Moving from Port St. Lucie, FL to Jacksonville, FL
It is a 235 mi drive, roughly 4h 22m, between Port St. Lucie, FL and Jacksonville, 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.
235 mi · 4h 22m by car · FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, FL 13, US 1 |
| Major cities en route | Orlando, Palm Bay |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Port St. Lucie | Jacksonville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.228 | 99.484 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.031 | 87.514 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 113.642 | 109.777 | 100.0 |
Port St. Lucie and Jacksonville 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 —, Jacksonville -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Port St. Lucie | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 57°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 58.9" | 47.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 75.2°F vs 71.4°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Jacksonville sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NETTLES IS, FL US, JACKSONVILLE NAS, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Port St. Lucie | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,453 | 961,739 |
| Median household income | $78,137 | $66,981 |
| Median age | 43.7 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.78 | 2.5 |
Households in Jacksonville earn about 0.7% less at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Jacksonville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 106,430 | $41,600 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 78,750 | $37,710 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 72,870 | $35,550 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 71,150 | $29,270 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 56,370 | $74,980 |
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 Jacksonville average 92°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 far is Jacksonville, FL from Port St. Lucie, FL?
The driving distance is 235 mi and the route typically takes 4h 22m via I 95 and FL 13. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Port St. Lucie vs Jacksonville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,981 in Jacksonville vs $78,137 in Port St. Lucie — a 14.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Jacksonville more expensive than Port St. Lucie?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jacksonville is 0.7% lower than Port St. Lucie (99.484 vs 100.228, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Port St. Lucie to Jacksonville?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 235 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Jacksonville compare to Port St. Lucie?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,420 in the Jacksonville MSA vs $40,900 in the Port St. Lucie MSA, on total employment of 740,520 and 163,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
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 · Jacksonville, FL.