Moving from Port St. Lucie, FL to Murrieta, CA
It is 2579 mi and 45h 15m from Port St. Lucie to Murrieta β a cross-country move across 8 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2579 mi Β· 45h 15m by car Β· FL β AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | Palm Bay, Orlando, Gainesville, Tallahassee, Mobile |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Port St. Lucie | Murrieta | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.228 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.031 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 113.642 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Murrieta runs about 6.2% more expensive overall than Port St. Lucie β RPP 100.228 β 106.442.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Port St. Lucie β, Murrieta -1.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Port St. Lucie | Murrieta |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 57Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 58.9" | 15.3" |
Expect 10.1Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NETTLES IS, FL US, FALLBROOK 5 NE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Port St. Lucie | Murrieta |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,453 | 111,621 |
| Median household income | $78,137 | $109,780 |
| Median age | 43.7 | 36 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.78 | 3.15 |
Expect median household income to rise 6.2% β $78,137 β $109,780 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Murrieta MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Florida and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
Winter driving along this route
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (10.1Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Murrieta compare to Port St. Lucie?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Murrieta MSA vs $40,900 in the Port St. Lucie MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 163,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Murrieta, CA from Port St. Lucie, FL?
The driving distance is 2579 mi and the route typically takes 45h 15m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Port St. Lucie vs Murrieta?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $109,780 in Murrieta vs $78,137 in Port St. Lucie β a 40.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Port St. Lucie to Murrieta?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2579 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Murrieta more expensive than Port St. Lucie?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Murrieta is 6.2% higher than Port St. Lucie (106.442 vs 100.228, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
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· Murrieta, CA.