Is Port St. Lucie, FL cheaper than Durham, NC?

Based on cost of living data, Port St. Lucie, FL is 2.3% more expensive than Durham, NC. This translates to spending an extra $171 per month.

What salary do I need in Port St. Lucie, FL to live like I do in Durham, NC?

If you earn $150,000 in Durham, NC, you'd need approximately $152,055.163 in Port St. Lucie, FL to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Durham, NC and Port St. Lucie, FL?

Housing in Port St. Lucie, FL is 5.1% cheaper than in Durham, NC. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,781/month in Port St. Lucie, FL compared to $1,730/month in Durham, NC.

How much can I save per month by moving from Durham, NC to Port St. Lucie, FL?

Living in Port St. Lucie, FL costs approximately $171 more per month than Durham, NC, or $2055 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Durham, NC vs Port St. Lucie, FL: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in Durham, NC

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $171/month more in Port St. Lucie, FL

$150.0K in your current city equals $152.1K in Port St. Lucie, FL

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Raleigh-Cary, NC area

Overall Cost

↑ 2.3%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$171

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$2.1K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Durham, NC

Population:325K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$411K

Port St. Lucie, FL

Population:245K

Cost Index:

102

(2% above avg)

Median Home:$390K

Durham, NC

The Tar Heel State

325K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in North Carolina, this city has a population of 325K residents.

Port St. Lucie, FL

The Sunshine State

245K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Located in Florida, this city has a population of 245K residents.

💡 Advantage: Florida has no state income tax!

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Durham, NC vs Port St. Lucie, FL

Category	Durham, NC	Port St. Lucie, FL	Difference	Change
Housing	$2,469/mo	$2,343/mo	↓ $126less	5.1%
Transportation	$1,284/mo	$1,237/mo	↓ $47.19less	3.7%
Healthcare	$601/mo	$559/mo	↓ $41.55less	6.9%
Groceries	$959/mo	$1,000/mo	↑ $41.05more	4.3%
Other	$1,707/mo	$1,741/mo	↑ $34.00more	2.0%
All Utilities	$546/mo	$563/mo	↑ $16.68more	3.1%

Housing

↓ 5.1%

Durham, NC

$2,469

Port St. Lucie, FL

$2,343

Difference

$126

less

Transportation

↓ 3.7%

Durham, NC

$1,284

Port St. Lucie, FL

$1,237

Difference

$47.19

less

Healthcare

↓ 6.9%

Durham, NC

$601

Port St. Lucie, FL

$559

Difference

$41.55

less

Groceries

↑ 4.3%

Durham, NC

$959

Port St. Lucie, FL

$1,000

Difference

$41.05

Other

↑ 2.0%

Durham, NC

$1,707

Port St. Lucie, FL

$1,741

Difference

$34.00

All Utilities

↑ 3.1%

Durham, NC

$546

Port St. Lucie, FL

$563

Difference

$16.68

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,430

To$1,474

↑ $44.00

1 Bed

From$1,520

To$1,490

↓ $30.00

2 Bed

From$1,730

To$1,781

↑ $51.00

3 Bed

From$2,140

To$2,456

↑ $316

Durham, NCZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,480–$1,750/mo

Port St. Lucie, FLZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,570–$2,090/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,567

Monthly in Durham, NC

$7,444

Monthly in Port St. Lucie, FL

$123

Difference

Home Values

Durham

Port St. Lucie

$411K

Median Value

↓ -0.5%

YoY Change

↑ +38%

5-Year Change

$306K - $461K

Price Range

Calculate payment - Durham

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $7.1K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$594

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

4.7%

Rate difference

Durham, NC

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

North Carolina State Tax

Effective: 4.8%

$7.1K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.4%

$44.1K

Take-Home Pay

$8,822/month

$105.9K

Port St. Lucie, FL

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Florida State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

Additional Tax Information

Durham, NC Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.1%

Property Tax:0.8%

Port St. Lucie, FL Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.2%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.