Moving and neighborhoods
Moving to Port St. Lucie as a renter
Port St. Lucie grew from 204,851 people in the 2020 Census to an estimated 268,062 in 2025, and it's now bigger than Fort Lauderdale. With 84% of homes owner-occupied, most rentals are single-family houses leased by individual owners, at a Census median gross rent of $1,937. The trade-off is distance: the average commute is 30.5 minutes, and there's no Tri-Rail or Brightline station in the city.
Updated Last checked 3 min read
Quick answer
- Population about 268,100, up about 31% since 2020.
- Median gross rent $1,937. Most rentals are houses, not apartments.
- Only 16% of homes are renter-occupied, so good rentals move fast.
- No commuter rail in the city. Plan around I-95 and the turnpike.
On this page
Port St. Lucie by the numbers
| Topic | Port St. Lucie | Fort Lauderdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 268,062 | 188,677 |
| Median gross rent | $1,937 | $1,854 |
| Owner-occupied homes | 84.0% | 54.1% |
| Median household income | $80,648 | $83,130 |
| Average commute, one way | 30.5 minutes | 26.1 minutes |
The comparison with Fort Lauderdale surprises people. The median rent is higher in Port St. Lucie, partly because most of its rentals are houses, while Fort Lauderdale's median takes in a lot of small apartments. The two medians compare different kinds of homes.
What the rentals look like
Most of the city is single-family homes on streets laid out decades ago, with newer master-planned communities to the west. Tradition and St. Lucie West, near Clover Park where the New York Mets hold spring training, have newer homes, HOAs and community amenities. Apartment complexes exist, mostly along the main roads, but they're a small share of the market.
Because so few homes are rented, a well-priced house can lease within days. Have your documents ready before you tour, as listed in what you need to rent in Florida. Pay stubs, ID, landlord references and the deposit in a form the landlord takes, all in one folder on your phone, can be the difference between first and second in line.
The commute
People move here for the space and then drive. I-95 and Florida's Turnpike both run through the city, and plenty of residents commute south to Palm Beach County. The nearest Brightline and Tri-Rail stations are in West Palm Beach. Try the drive at rush hour before you sign a lease that assumes it.
Count the gas and tolls
A cheaper house an hour from work can cost more than a pricier one near it once gas, tolls and time are counted. Run it through how much rent you can afford with the commute included.
Questions to ask on a house lease
- Ask who handles the lawn, the pool and pest control. In a house lease, these are often the tenant's.
- Ask about hurricane shutters or impact windows and who installs them.
- Check whether the home is in an HOA and what the HOA requires of tenants.
- Look up the flood and evacuation zones, especially near the North Fork of the St. Lucie River.
- Ask whether the home is on city water and sewer or a well and septic system.
A house lease usually hands the tenant more upkeep than an apartment does. Get each duty in writing, with who pays for it and how often, before you sign.
Questions people ask
Is Port St. Lucie cheaper than Fort Lauderdale?
The median rent is a bit higher, $1,937 against $1,854, but Port St. Lucie's rentals are mostly houses, so you usually get more space for the money.
How fast is Port St. Lucie growing?
From 204,851 in the 2020 Census to an estimated 268,062 in 2025, about 31%.
Is there a train from Port St. Lucie to Miami?
Not in the city. The nearest Brightline and Tri-Rail stations are in West Palm Beach.
Free help from Rentvana
Houses here go fast. Tell us what you need, and we'll line up tours the day they list.
Renters never pay Rentvana. A licensed agent replies within 1 hour, 8am to 9pm.
Questions first? Call 888-601-8344 or email hello@rentvana.com.
Words in this guide
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Port St. Lucie city, Floridacensus.gov
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Fort Lauderdale city, Floridacensus.gov
- Brightline: Brightline opens new stations in Boca Raton and Aventura (December 20, 2022)gobrightline.com
- Discover The Palm Beaches: Tri-Rail in The Palm Beaches, stations and ticketsthepalmbeaches.com
Checked against these sources on by Rentvana Editorial. If something has changed, email hello@rentvana.com and we'll fix it.
Questions?
Call 888-601-8344 to talk to a licensed agent, or email hello@rentvana.com and one gets back to you within 1 hour, 8am to 9pm. Renters never pay Rentvana.