Florida · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in St. Lucie County, FL

The median household in St. Lucie County, FL earns $71,457 a year ($5,955/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,757/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $70,280 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 0.2% above the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$71,457$5,955 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,757HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)100.2+0.2% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.1¢per kWh · EIA Residential FL
Census Population360,500Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in St. Lucie County, FL

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,757Monthly market rent
Share of gross income29.5%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$70,280To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,786At 30% of $71,457
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: St. Lucie County, FL

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Port St. Lucie, FL MSA. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for St. Lucie County, FL
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,455$17,460$58,20024.4%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,467$17,604$58,68024.6%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,757$21,084$70,28029.5%
3-Bedroom Home$2,421$29,052$96,84040.7%
4-Bedroom Home$2,579$30,948$103,16043.3%

See dedicated rental breakdown for St. Lucie County, FL →

50/30/20 Living Budget in St. Lucie County, FL

Based on the local median household income of $71,457/year ($5,955/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,977/moRent ($1,757 2-BR), utilities (~$136/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,786/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 100.2 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,191/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Florida

Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Florida state income tax based on the local median baseline.

$71,457
$25,000$145,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$71,457
Net 83%
Fed 10%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$59,100After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,925Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,273Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$6,891 / yr
Florida state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,466 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across Florida with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in St. Lucie County, FL

What is the median household income in St. Lucie County, FL?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in St. Lucie County, FL is $71,457 per year (approximately $5,955 per month).

What is the average rent in St. Lucie County, FL?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in St. Lucie County, FL are $1,455 for a studio, $1,467 for 1 bedroom, $1,757 for 2 bedrooms, $2,421 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,579 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in St. Lucie County, FL compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in St. Lucie County, FL is 100.2 (0.2% higher than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in St. Lucie County, FL?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,757/month) in St. Lucie County, FL requires a minimum gross household income of $70,280 per year ($5,857 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in St. Lucie County, FL?

For a typical household earning the median income of $71,457/year ($5,955/month) in St. Lucie County, FL, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,977/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,786/month to discretionary spending, and $1,191/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in St. Lucie County, FL?

Residential electricity rates in Florida average 15.1¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $136 per month.