Port St. Lucie, FL, known as "The Jewel of the Treasure Coast," is renowned for its beautiful coastal scenery and tranquil living. Located on the southeastern coast of Florida, Port St. Lucie is approximately 50 miles north of West Palm Beach and 115 miles southeast of Orlando. This medium-sized city offers a blend of suburban charm and coastal living, making it an attractive place to reside.
Port St. Lucie's climate features hot, humid summers and mild, pleasant winters, ideal for enjoying outdoor activities year-round. The city boasts numerous parks and recreational areas, including the scenic Savannas Preserve State Park and the expansive Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens, which offer trails, gardens, and opportunities for boating and fishing.
The cultural scene in Port St. Lucie is vibrant, with attractions like the Civic Center, the Port St. Lucie Historical Society, and the MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center. The city hosts a variety of events and festivals throughout the year, including the Port St. Lucie Seafood Festival and the St. Lucie County Fair, celebrating the city's cultural and culinary achievements.
Education is a priority in Port St. Lucie, with institutions like Indian River State College providing higher education opportunities. The city's public and private schools are highly regarded, making Port St. Lucie an attractive place for families. The presence of healthcare institutions, such as the Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital, supports a strong job market.
Living in Port St. Lucie combines the benefits of a coastal lifestyle with a high quality of life. Residents enjoy access to excellent healthcare facilities, diverse dining options, and a range of housing choices. The city's efficient public transportation system and well-maintained infrastructure make commuting and exploring the area convenient. With its natural beauty, cultural richness, and welcoming atmosphere, Port St. Lucie offers a dynamic and fulfilling living experience.
Cost Of Living
Taking into account the cost of goods and services like housing, groceries, transportation and utilities, the overall cost of living in this area is well below average.
Crime
Crime per 100,000 people is significantly lower than the national average, making it a safe place to live. These crime statistics include both violent and property crimes.
Housing
High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.
Amenities
The majority of amenities are not ideally located within walking distance. To access these amenities, residents may be required to rely on a vehicle or public transit.
Commute
A low commute score could be due to longer-than-average work commutes and the limited availability of public transportation in this area.
Health & Safety
The low score in this category could be due to challenges related to air quality and the limited accessibility of health-related facilities like hospitals, nursing homes, doctors and pharmacies.
Port St. Lucie, Florida is a moderately-sized city with a population of 195,773 residents. The majority of Port St. Lucie residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and Asian. On a daily basis, the typical American spends approximately 26 minutes on their one-way work commute. Reduced travel times not only contributes to increased overall happiness, but also affords more opportunities to cherish moments with family and friends. If you're living in Port St. Lucie, your commute time will align closely with the national average, spanning a one-way duration of approximately 29 minutes.
Living in Port St. Lucie can be a positive experience for anyone relocating to the area. Having said that, in the state of Florida, there are many desirable places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. To help you find the best places to live in and around Port St. Lucie, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like cost of living, commute, health & safety, education and more.
Using data and statistics Port St. Lucie has received a livability score of 67 out of 100. This score is ranked in the 69th percentile when compared to all other cities. If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Port St. Lucie has higher than average grades for the following: crime (A+), cost of living (A) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that you should be aware of in Port St. Lucie. The following was graded with a disappointing score: amenities (F).
Crime rates play a pivotal role in the decision-making process for anyone considering a move, as they directly influence the overall sense of safety, security and quality of life in a given location. Port St. Lucie shines in this regard, earning exemplary ratings for its exceptionally low violent crime rates, standing at 117 crimes per 100,000 residents. These rates are notably below the national average, underscoring the community's commitment to safety and contributing to an enhanced quality of life.
A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Port St. Lucie has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
Port St. Lucie real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Port St. Lucie. The median home price for Port St. Lucie homes is $224,400, which is 34.5% higher than the Florida average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Port St. Lucie, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.6, which is 5.9% higher than the Florida average.
| Statistic | Port St. Lucie | Florida | National |
| Average one way commute | 29min | 27min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 81.4% | 79.5% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 9.5% | 9.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.2% | 2.1% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.3% | 0.7% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.8% | 1.5% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 5.2% | 5.4% | 4.6% |
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