($1,429) Movers From Port St. Lucie, FL to San Diego, CA

What to know before moving from Port St. Lucie to San Diego

Moving from Port St. Lucie to San Diego comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since San Diego is generally more expensive than Port St. Lucie, it’s 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:

• Rent prices in San Diego are 10% higher than in Port St. Lucie, 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 Port St. Lucie.
  Home prices in San Diego are 156.1% higher than in Port St. Lucie.
• Income in San Diego is 6.3% higher than in Port St. Lucie, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in San Diego include United States Navy, University of California, San Diego, and Sharp HealthCare.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in San Diego, since the cost of living for a single person in San Diego is 37.0% higher than in Port St. Lucie. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to San Diego, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in San Diego is 39.4% higher than in Port St. Lucie.
• The unemployment rate in San Diego is 34.69% higher than in Port St. Lucie.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in San Diego, since the city’s sales taxes in San Diego are 10.71% higher than in Port St. Lucie.
• State income taxes in San Diego are 13.30% higher than in Port St. Lucie.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,108.88 in San Diego to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Port St. Lucie.

How life is different in Port St. Lucie vs. San Diego

• The population of San Diego is about 577% greater than Port St. Lucie, 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.
• San Diego offers better access to buses and trains than Port St. Lucie, based on public transportation ratings. San Diego has a transit score of 6 out of 10 compared to 1 in Port St. Lucie. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in San Diego means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Port St. Lucie. San Diego is considered more walkable than Port St. Lucie, with a score of 53 out of 100 versus 13 out of 100 in Port St. Lucie. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, San Diego is considered more bike-friendly than Port St. Lucie in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. San Diego has a bike-friendliness score of 43 out of 100, while Port St. Lucie is rated as 36 out of 100.
• The crime rate in San Diego is higher than in Port St. Lucie, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 39.83 in San Diego, it is 35.03 in Port St. Lucie. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You may want to exercise more caution as you’re getting used to your new surroundings in San Diego. With a crime index of 60.17, San Diego ranks lower in overall safety than Port St. Lucie, whose index is Port St. Lucie's 64.97. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
• The air quality in San Diego isn’t as good as it is in Port St. Lucie, so you may want to take precautions if you suffer from conditions like allergies or asthma. San Diego has an air quality rating of Moderate, and Port St. Lucie is considered to be good. Cities with good to moderate air quality may have varying levels of minor potential for health risks for certain people. Beyond the moderate rating, those health risks increase in severity and the amount of residents affected.

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

• Weather: San Diego's climate is characterized by warm, dry summers and mild winters, with most of the annual precipitation falling between December and March. The city has a mild climate year-round.
• 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: When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a California moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: California 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 San Diego. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.Opt for Released Value Protection – a cost-free choice provided by movers with minimal coverage. The liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement is only $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). To ensure comprehensive coverage for your items' full value, consult with your chosen moving company or consider third-party insurance options.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in San Diego

Now that you've decided to make the move to "America's Finest City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in San Diego.

Helpful moving resources