Moving from Port St. Lucie, FL to Tampa, FL
It is a 162 mi drive, roughly 3h 22m, between Port St. Lucie, FL and Tampa, 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.
162 mi Β· 3h 22m by car Β· FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | FL 60, I 4, FL 570 TOLL |
| Major cities en route | St Petersburg, Clearwater, Lakeland, Palm Bay |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Port St. Lucie | Tampa | 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 |
Port St. Lucie and Tampa sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Port St. Lucie β, Tampa -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Port St. Lucie | Tampa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75Β°F | 75Β°F |
| January avg low | 57Β°F | 53Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 58.9" | 49.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 75.2Β°F vs 74.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Tampa sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NETTLES IS, FL US, TAMPA INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Port St. Lucie | Tampa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,453 | 393,389 |
| Median household income | $78,137 | $71,302 |
| Median age | 43.7 | 35.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 26.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.78 | 2.45 |
Households in Tampa earn about 0.7% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tampa 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 Tampa average 91Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Port St. Lucie to Tampa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 162 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Tampa compare to Port St. Lucie?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,420 in the Tampa 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.
How does household income compare in Port St. Lucie vs Tampa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $71,302 in Tampa vs $78,137 in Port St. Lucie β a 8.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Tampa more expensive than Port St. Lucie?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tampa 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 Tampa, FL from Port St. Lucie, FL?
The driving distance is 162 mi and the route typically takes 3h 22m via FL 60 and I 4. 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· Tampa, FL.