Moving from St. Petersburg, FL to Port St. Lucie, FL
Relocating between St. Petersburg, FL and Port St. Lucie, FL is a 184 mi drive β 3h 48m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
184 mi Β· 3h 48m by car Β· FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | FL 60, I 4, I 275 |
| Major cities en route | Clearwater, Tampa, Lakeland, Palm Bay |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Petersburg | Port St. Lucie | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.89 | 100.228 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.525 | 87.031 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.47 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.839 | 113.642 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow housing data not available for this pair.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Petersburg | Port St. Lucie |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75Β°F | 75Β°F |
| January avg low | 54Β°F | 57Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 52.5" | 58.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST PETERSBURG, FL US, NETTLES IS, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Petersburg | Port St. Lucie |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 260,646 | 220,453 |
| Median household income | $73,118 | $78,137 |
| Median age | 43.1 | 43.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.1% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.23 | 2.78 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 0.7% higher in Port St. Lucie than St. Petersburg.
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
When is the best time to move from St. Petersburg 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 184 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in St. Petersburg vs Port St. Lucie?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $78,137 in Port St. Lucie vs $73,118 in St. Petersburg β a 6.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Port St. Lucie, FL from St. Petersburg, FL?
The driving distance is 184 mi and the route typically takes 3h 48m via FL 60 and I 4. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Port St. Lucie more expensive than St. Petersburg?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Port St. Lucie is 0.7% lower than St. Petersburg (100.228 vs 100.89, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Port St. Lucie compare to St. Petersburg?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,900 in the Port St. Lucie MSA vs $46,420 in the St. Petersburg MSA, on total employment of 163,210 and 1,412,840 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 St. Petersburg.
City profiles: St. Petersburg, FL Β· Port St. Lucie, FL.