Moving from West Palm Beach, FL to Port St. Lucie, FL
The drive from West Palm Beach to Port St. Lucie covers 48 mi in about 1h 4m. Local moves still matter — school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
48 mi · 1h 4m by car · FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | SR 710, SR 809, CR 702 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Palm Beach | Port St. Lucie | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 100.228 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 87.031 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 113.642 | 100.0 |
Port St. Lucie is 12.2% cheaper than West Palm Beach overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: West Palm Beach -3.1%, Port St. Lucie —. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | West Palm Beach | Port St. Lucie |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 58°F | 57°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | — |
| Annual precipitation | 61.7" | 58.9" |
Annual average temperatures in West Palm Beach (75.8°F) and Port St. Lucie (75.2°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WEST PALM BEACH INTL AP, FL US, NETTLES IS, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Palm Beach | Port St. Lucie |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,508 | 220,453 |
| Median household income | $69,261 | $78,137 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 43.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.4% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.37 | 2.78 |
Income steps up 12.2%: $69,261 in West Palm Beach vs $78,137 in Port St. Lucie.
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 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
- Pack rain gear on top: Port St. Lucie averages 58.9 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
When is the best time to move from West Palm Beach to Port St. Lucie?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 48 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in West Palm Beach vs Port St. Lucie?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $78,137 in Port St. Lucie vs $69,261 in West Palm Beach — a 12.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Port St. Lucie, FL from West Palm Beach, FL?
The driving distance is 48 mi and the route typically takes 1h 4m via SR 710 and SR 809. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Port St. Lucie compare to West Palm Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,900 in the Port St. Lucie MSA vs $46,510 in the West Palm Beach MSA, on total employment of 163,210 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Port St. Lucie more expensive than West Palm Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Port St. Lucie is 12.2% lower than West Palm Beach (100.228 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from West Palm Beach.
City profiles: West Palm Beach, FL · Port St. Lucie, FL.