Moving from Port St. Lucie, FL to Orlando, FL
It is a 120 mi drive, roughly 2h 21m, between Port St. Lucie, FL and Orlando, FL. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
120 mi Β· 2h 21m by car Β· FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, FL 528 TOLL, CR 15 |
| Major cities en route | Palm Bay |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Port St. Lucie | Orlando | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.228 | 101.418 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.031 | 87.196 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 113.642 | 123.374 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Port St. Lucie β, Orlando -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Port St. Lucie | Orlando |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75Β°F | 73Β°F |
| January avg low | 57Β°F | 50Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 58.9" | 51.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Orlando β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NETTLES IS, FL US, ORLANDO INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Port St. Lucie | Orlando |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,453 | 311,732 |
| Median household income | $78,137 | $69,268 |
| Median age | 43.7 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 26.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.78 | 2.46 |
Households in Orlando earn about 1.2% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Orlando MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 181,030 | $39,680 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 159,660 | $30,310 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 150,100 | $35,810 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 118,970 | $36,790 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 93,670 | $73,450 |
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 Orlando average 92Β°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: Orlando averages 51.5 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 Orlando compare to Port St. Lucie?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,120 in the Orlando MSA vs $40,900 in the Port St. Lucie MSA, on total employment of 1,366,800 and 163,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Port St. Lucie to Orlando?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 120 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Orlando more expensive than Port St. Lucie?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Orlando is 1.2% higher than Port St. Lucie (101.418 vs 100.228, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Port St. Lucie vs Orlando?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,268 in Orlando vs $78,137 in Port St. Lucie β a 11.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Orlando, FL from Port St. Lucie, FL?
The driving distance is 120 mi and the route typically takes 2h 21m via I 95 and FL 528 TOLL. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
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· Orlando, FL.