Key factors that impact the cost of your Chattanooga to Port St. Lucie move
What to know before moving from Chattanooga to Port St. Lucie
Moving from Chattanooga to Port St. Lucie means adjusting to a different pace of life โ and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Chattanooga than in Port St. Lucie, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how Chattanooga compares to Port St. Lucie so you know what to expect before you relocate:
Chattanooga | Port St. Lucie | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,475 | $2,630 |
Average home value | $302,565 | $391,763 |
Average income (per capita) | $60,164 | $68,647 |
Cost of living (single person) | $3,300 | $2,443 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $4,350 | $5,537 |
Unemployment rate | 5.6% | 4.9% |
Sales tax | 9.25% | 7.0% |
State income tax | 0.0% | 0.0% |
- Rent prices in Port St. Lucie are 78% higher than in Chattanooga, which means youโll have less money in your pocket each month.
-
In terms of homeownership, youโll be able to get more for your money in Chattanooga.
Home prices in Port St. Lucie are 29.5% higher than in Chattanooga. - Income in Port St. Lucie is 14.1% higher than in Chattanooga, 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.
- The cost of living for a single person in Port St. Lucie is 26.0% lower than in Chattanooga. 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 27.3% higher than in Chattanooga.
- The unemployment rate in Port St. Lucie is 12.50% lower than in Chattanooga.
- Youโll spend less on retail and restaurants in Port St. Lucie, since the cityโs sales taxes in Port St. Lucie are 24.32% lower than in Chattanooga.
- State income taxes are the same in Port St. Lucie and Chattanooga.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,220.91 in Port St. Lucie to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Chattanooga.
How life is different in Chattanooga vs. Port St. Lucie
Port St. Lucie | Chattanooga | |
---|---|---|
Population | 204,851 | 181,099 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 1 | 3 |
Walkability score | 13 | 29 |
Bike friendliness score | 36 | 35 |
Crime Index | 35.03 | 53.89 |
Safety Index | 64.97 | 46.11 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- The population of Port St. Lucie is about 13% greater than Chattanooga, 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 Chattanooga. Port St. Lucie has a public transportation score of 1 out of 10, whereas Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga. Based on its score of 13 out of 100, Port St. Lucie isnโt as walkable as Chattanooga, which has a score of 29 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 Chattanooga are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 36 and 35 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 Chattanooga based on scores of 35.03 and Chattanooga's 53.89, 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 Chattanooga, based on Port St. Lucieโs safety index of 64.97 versus 46.11 for Chattanooga. 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 Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga 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: Itโs a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, itโs 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 โ Division of Consumer Services. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: To confirm a moving companyโs license in Florida, visit the state's public utilities commission
- Moving permits: While Florida doesnโt 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.
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
After settling into your new Florida home, youโll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Port St. Lucie has lots to offer, no matter what youโre interested in:
- Arts and culture: Port St. Lucie is home to museums and cultural arts centers like 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 sites โ are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an St. Lucie Mets (Low-A) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Chattanooga to Port St. Lucie?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Chattanooga to Port St. Lucie are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Chattanooga are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Chattanooga to Port St. Lucie?
With many people choosing to move from Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga to Port St. Lucie take?
Moving from Chattanooga, TN to Port St. Lucie, FL covers 669 miles and usually takes one to six days. Need to move faster? Some Chattanooga movers offer expedited options. If youโre not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Port St. Lucie.