Moving from Port St. Lucie, FL to Clearwater, FL
Moving from Port St. Lucie, FL to Clearwater, FL covers 183 mi and about 3h 54m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
183 mi Β· 3h 54m by car Β· FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | FL 60, I 4, FL 570 TOLL |
| Major cities en route | Palm Bay, Lakeland, Tampa, St Petersburg |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Port St. Lucie | Clearwater | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.228 | 100.89 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.031 | 88.525 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 95.47 | 100.0 |
| Services | 113.642 | 125.839 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Port St. Lucie (100.228) and Clearwater (100.89) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Port St. Lucie β, Clearwater -5.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Port St. Lucie | Clearwater |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75Β°F | 74Β°F |
| January avg low | 57Β°F | 53Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 58.9" | 53.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NETTLES IS, FL US, ST PETERSBURG INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Port St. Lucie | Clearwater |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,453 | 117,075 |
| Median household income | $78,137 | $64,440 |
| Median age | 43.7 | 46.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.78 | 2.35 |
Median household income in Clearwater is 0.7% below Port St. Lucie ($78,137 β $64,440, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Clearwater MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 201,260 | $41,920 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 145,340 | $36,560 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 135,010 | $30,310 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 114,660 | $36,330 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 111,490 | $75,840 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Clearwater average 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Clearwater averages 53.6 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β 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
How does the job market in Clearwater compare to Port St. Lucie?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,420 in the Clearwater MSA vs $40,900 in the Port St. Lucie MSA, on total employment of 1,412,840 and 163,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Clearwater more expensive than Port St. Lucie?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Clearwater is 0.7% higher than Port St. Lucie (100.89 vs 100.228, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Clearwater, FL from Port St. Lucie, FL?
The driving distance is 183 mi and the route typically takes 3h 54m via FL 60 and I 4. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Port St. Lucie to Clearwater?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 183 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Port St. Lucie vs Clearwater?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,440 in Clearwater vs $78,137 in Port St. Lucie β a 17.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Port St. Lucie.
City profiles: Port St. Lucie, FL Β· Clearwater, FL.