Miami Gardens, FL vs Port St. Lucie, FL

Miami Gardens, FL and Port St. Lucie, FL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.8% difference in their overall index. Miami Gardens scores 119 while Port St. Lucie scores 117 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Miami Gardens is $1,709/month compared to $1,781/month in Port St. Lucie — a 4% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Miami Gardens has cheaper rent, Port St. Lucie actually has lower median home values ($327,700 vs $337,200).

Median household income in Miami Gardens is $60,979 compared to $78,137 in Port St. Lucie (-22%). Port St. Lucie offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Miami Gardens spend roughly 33.6% of their income on rent, more than the 27.4% in Port St. Lucie. The Port St. Lucie ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, Miami Gardens is notably warmer with an average of 77.3°F compared to 73.1°F in Port St. Lucie. Miami Gardens receives more rainfall at 62" per year compared to 51.2" in Port St. Lucie.