Moving from Cape Coral, FL to Port St. Lucie, FL
It is a 137 mi drive, roughly 3h 14m, between Cape Coral, FL and Port St. Lucie, FL. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
137 mi · 3h 14m by car · FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | FL 78, FL 29, SR 80 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cape Coral | Port St. Lucie | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.349 | 100.228 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 86.901 | 87.031 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.113 | 113.642 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 102.349 vs 100.228 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Cape Coral -8.4%, Port St. Lucie —. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Cape Coral | Port St. Lucie |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 54°F | 57°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | — |
| Annual precipitation | 57.4" | 58.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Cape Coral (75.4°F) and Port St. Lucie (75.2°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FT MYERS PAGE FLD AP, FL US, NETTLES IS, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cape Coral | Port St. Lucie |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,387 | 220,453 |
| Median household income | $76,062 | $78,137 |
| Median age | 48.7 | 43.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.7% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.78 |
Median household incomes in Cape Coral ($76,062) and Port St. Lucie ($78,137) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Port St. Lucie MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 20,870 | $39,520 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 18,390 | $29,160 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 17,270 | $33,620 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 14,330 | $36,220 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 12,650 | $72,910 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Pack rain gear on top: Port St. Lucie averages 58.9 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November — stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
Is Port St. Lucie more expensive than Cape Coral?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Port St. Lucie is 2.1% lower than Cape Coral (100.228 vs 102.349, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Port St. Lucie compare to Cape Coral?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,900 in the Port St. Lucie MSA vs $43,330 in the Cape Coral MSA, on total employment of 163,210 and 290,450 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Cape Coral vs Port St. Lucie?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $78,137 in Port St. Lucie vs $76,062 in Cape Coral — a 2.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Port St. Lucie, FL from Cape Coral, FL?
The driving distance is 137 mi and the route typically takes 3h 14m via FL 78 and FL 29. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Cape Coral to Port St. Lucie?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 137 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Cape Coral.
City profiles: Cape Coral, FL · Port St. Lucie, FL.