Moving from Port St. Lucie, FL to Tuscaloosa, AL
It is 679 mi between Port St. Lucie and Tuscaloosa β roughly 13h 12m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 2 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
679 mi Β· 13h 12m by car Β· FL β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 231, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | Palm Bay, Orlando, Gainesville, Tallahassee, Montgomery |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Port St. Lucie | Tuscaloosa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.228 | 87.722 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.031 | 84.396 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 113.642 | 58.246 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 12.5% cheaper overall in Tuscaloosa than Port St. Lucie on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Port St. Lucie β, Tuscaloosa +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Port St. Lucie | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 57Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 58.9" | 57.3" |
Annual temperature drops 10.9Β°F moving to Tuscaloosa per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NETTLES IS, FL US, NORTHPORT 2 S, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Port St. Lucie | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,453 | 107,699 |
| Median household income | $78,137 | $48,536 |
| Median age | 43.7 | 28.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.78 | 2.68 |
Tuscaloosa households earn about 12.5% less than Port St. Lucie at the median β $78,137 β $48,536 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tuscaloosa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Production Occupations | 15,750 | $48,310 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 9,940 | $37,980 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,860 | $25,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 9,250 | $36,980 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 8,780 | $29,460 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Florida and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Tuscaloosa 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: Tuscaloosa averages 57.3 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (10.9Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- 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 Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Tuscaloosa, AL from Port St. Lucie, FL?
The driving distance is 679 mi and the route typically takes 13h 12m via I 10 and US 231. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Port St. Lucie to Tuscaloosa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 679 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 Tuscaloosa compare to Port St. Lucie?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,690 in the Tuscaloosa MSA vs $40,900 in the Port St. Lucie MSA, on total employment of 103,520 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 Tuscaloosa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,536 in Tuscaloosa vs $78,137 in Port St. Lucie β a 37.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Tuscaloosa more expensive than Port St. Lucie?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tuscaloosa is 12.5% lower than Port St. Lucie (87.722 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· Tuscaloosa, AL.