Key factors that impact the cost of your Mobile to Port St. Lucie move
What to know before moving from Mobile to Port St. Lucie
Moving from Mobile to Port St. Lucie comes with exciting new opportunities โ but also higher living costs. Since Port St. Lucie is generally more expensive than Mobile, itโs important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
Mobile | Port St. Lucie | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,300 | $2,630 |
Average home value | $186,159 | $391,763 |
Average income (per capita) | $61,962 | $68,647 |
Cost of living (single person) | $1,825 | $2,443 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $4,104 | $5,537 |
Unemployment rate | 6.2% | 4.9% |
Sales tax | 10.0% | 7.0% |
State income tax | 5.0% | 0.0% |
- Rent prices in Port St. Lucie are 102% higher than in Mobile, which means youโll have less money in your pocket each month.
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In terms of homeownership, youโll be able to get more for your money in Mobile.
Home prices in Port St. Lucie are 110.4% higher than in Mobile. - Income in Port St. Lucie is 10.8% higher than in Mobile, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Port St. Lucie include Liberty Healthcare Group, Gerelco Electrical Contractors, and St. Lucie Medical Center.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Port St. Lucie, since the cost of living for a single person in Port St. Lucie is 33.9% higher than in Mobile. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If youโre moving your family to Port St. Lucie, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Port St. Lucie is 34.9% higher than in Mobile.
- The unemployment rate in Port St. Lucie is 20.97% lower than in Mobile.
- Youโll spend less on retail and restaurants in Port St. Lucie, since the cityโs sales taxes in Port St. Lucie are 30.00% lower than in Mobile.
- One perk of moving to Port St. Lucie is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Mobile.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,015.89 in Port St. Lucie to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Mobile.
How life is different in Mobile vs. Port St. Lucie
Port St. Lucie | Mobile | |
---|---|---|
Population | 204,851 | 187,041 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 1 | 3 |
Walkability score | 13 | 32 |
Bike friendliness score | 36 | 34 |
Crime Index | 35.03 | 64.95 |
Safety Index | 64.97 | 35.05 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- The population of Port St. Lucie is about 10% greater than Mobile, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
- Getting around Port St. Lucie without a car might be more difficult than in Mobile. Port St. Lucie has a public transportation score of 1 out of 10, whereas Mobile is ranked 3. Ratings are based on a cityโs 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 Mobile. Based on its score of 13 out of 100, Port St. Lucie isnโt as walkable as Mobile, which has a score of 32 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.
- Port St. Lucie and Mobile are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 36 and 34 respectively. Bike-friendliness scores between 50 and 100 indicate varying levels of infrastructure to support cyclists, including bike lanes and roadway connectivity. Cities with scores under 50 are considered more car-dependent.
- Port St. Lucie has a lower crime rate than Mobile based on scores of 35.03 and Mobile's 64.95, 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 Mobile, based on Port St. Lucieโs safety index of 64.97 versus 35.05 for Mobile. 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 Mobile 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 Mobile 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: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- 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 โ Division of Consumer Services. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Florida moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving permits: Florida does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Port St. Lucie. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.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 will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.
Where to live in Port St. Lucie
Now that you've decided to make the move to "PSL", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Port St. Lucie.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Downtown
- Sandpiper Bay
- Torino
- Southbend
- River Park
Best neighborhoods for families
- Tradition
- St. Lucie West
- Becker Ridge
- Gatlin Pines
- Magnolia Lakes
Things to do in Port St. Lucie
Once youโre settled into your new home in Florida, itโs time to get out and discover what Port St. Lucie has to offer. No matter your interests, thereโs something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: Port St. Lucie features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including the Treasure Coast Model Railroad Club and PGA Historical Center.
- Outdoor recreation: The cityโs Veterans Park at Rivergate, Oak Hammock Park, and River Park Marina โ among other spots โ perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an St. Lucie Mets (Low-A) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Mobile to Port St. Lucie?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Mobile to Port St. Lucie are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Mobile are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Mobile to Port St. Lucie?
With many people choosing to move from Mobile to Port St. Lucie in spring or fall, winter moves often come with better rates. Take a look at our moving discounts guide to find out how to save.
How long does a move from Mobile to Port St. Lucie take?
Moving from Mobile, AL to Port St. Lucie, FL covers 610 miles and usually takes one to six days. Need to move faster? Some Mobile movers offer expedited options. If youโre not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Port St. Lucie.