($1,482) Movers From Houston, TX to Port St. Lucie, FL

What to know before moving from Houston to Port St. Lucie

Moving from Houston to Port St. Lucie means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Houston than in Port St. Lucie, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how Houston compares to Port St. Lucie so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Port St. Lucie are 70% higher than in Houston, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Houston.
  Home prices in Port St. Lucie are 48.4% higher than in Houston.
• Income in Port St. Lucie is 1.7% lower than in Houston, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Port St. Lucie include Liberty Healthcare Group, Gerelco Electrical Contractors, and St. Lucie Medical Center.
• The cost of living for a single person in Port St. Lucie is 11.8% lower than in Houston. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Port St. Lucie is 22.6% lower than in Houston.
• The unemployment rate in Port St. Lucie is 19.51% higher than in Houston.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Port St. Lucie, since the city’s sales taxes in Port St. Lucie are 15.15% lower than in Houston.
• State income taxes are the same in Port St. Lucie and Houston.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,645.85 in Port St. Lucie to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Houston.

How life is different in Houston vs. Port St. Lucie

• Port St. Lucie might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 91% less than Houston.
• Getting around Port St. Lucie without a car might be more difficult than in Houston. Port St. Lucie has a public transportation score of 1 out of 10, whereas Houston is ranked 5. Ratings are based on a city’s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
• Port St. Lucie neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Houston. Based on its score of 13 out of 100, Port St. Lucie isn’t as walkable as Houston, which has a score of 47 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
• You probably won’t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Port St. Lucie, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Houston. While Houston has a bike-friendliness score of 49 out of 100, Port St. Lucie earned a 36. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
• Port St. Lucie has a lower crime rate than Houston based on scores of 35.03 and Houston's 63.5, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Port St. Lucie than in Houston, based on Port St. Lucie’s safety index of 64.97 versus 36.5 for Houston. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• The air quality in Port St. Lucie and Houston is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

Other things to consider for your Houston vs. Port St. Lucie move

• Weather: Port St. Lucie summers are usually hot, with high temperatures averaging in the low 90s. Winters are usually mild to warm, with average high temperatures in the 70s. Port St. Lucie is also vulnerable to hurricanes.
• HOA rules: It’s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it’s a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
• Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
• State licensing: Individuals and companies engaging in for-profit local and intrastate moving within the Sunshine State must register each year with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – Division of Consumer Services. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in Florida, visit the state's public utilities commission
• Moving permits: While Florida doesn’t mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Port St. Lucie without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. Released Value Protection stands out as a cost-effective choice, provided by movers at no extra expense, although it comes with limited coverage. In this option, the mover's liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. To ensure comprehensive coverage matching the full value of your items, consult with your chosen moving company about alternative options or explore third-party insurance providers. Secure the best protection for your belongings during the move with these tailored coverage choices.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Where to live in Port St. Lucie

With your sights set on "PSL", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Port St. Lucie.

Helpful moving resources