City Comparison

Arlington vs Port St Lucie

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Arlington

Virginia
164
Very Expensive
$740,000
Median Home
$2,350/mo
Median Rent
$145,000
Median Income

Port St Lucie

Florida
99
Average
$384,000
Median Home
$1,800/mo
Median Rent
$81,100
Median Income

The Verdict

65.7%

The cost gap between these cities is 65.7%, with Port St Lucie being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to $45,274 in Port St Lucie.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
249
Arlington
103
Port St Lucie
Groceries
106
Arlington
102
Port St Lucie
Utilities
102
Arlington
93
Port St Lucie
Transportation
107
Arlington
102
Port St Lucie
Healthcare
117
Arlington
96
Port St Lucie

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $45,274 in Port St Lucie.

Conversely, $75,000 in Port St Lucie equals $124,242 in Arlington.

Living in Arlington vs Port St Lucie

Housing Costs

Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Port St Lucie's 103, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $384,000. The $356,000 difference in home prices means roughly $23,136 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,800/mo in Port St Lucie, a monthly difference of $550.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 102 in Port St Lucie. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $485/month in Port St Lucie. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Arlington and 93 in Port St Lucie. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $372 in Port St Lucie. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 96 in Port St Lucie. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 21-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $145,000 in Arlington and $81,100 in Port St Lucie. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $81,919 respectively. Arlington residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,383/month to housing in Arlington vs $1,892/month in Port St Lucie. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Port St Lucie, median rent of $1,800/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 146 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Port St Lucie is 65.7% more affordable overall with an index of 99 vs 164.
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $45,274 in Port St Lucie, based on the cost of living difference.
Arlington's housing index is 249 with median homes at $740,000, while Port St Lucie's is 103 with median homes at $384,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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