Fort Pierce, FL vs Lake Wales, FL

Lake Wales is moderately more affordable than Fort Pierce, with a 6.1% lower cost of living index. Fort Pierce scores 90 compared to 85 for Lake Wales, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Fort Pierce can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Fort Pierce is $1,194/month compared to $1,060/month in Lake Wales — a 13% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Lake Wales has cheaper rent, Fort Pierce actually has lower median home values ($220,500 vs $225,900).

Median household income in Fort Pierce is $46,745 compared to $55,799 in Lake Wales (-16.2%). Lake Wales offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Fort Pierce spend roughly 30.7% of their income on rent, more than the 22.8% in Lake Wales. The Lake Wales ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.