Rows tagged local are specific to Fort Pierce (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Port St. Lucie, FL. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 6/10 (district St. Lucie · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
102.2
metro-area
#153 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
96.3
metro-area
#76 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.81
metro-area
#153 of 200 metros
Median household income
$45,121
local
#3086 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$28,537
local
#3068 of 3,220 cities
Who lives here
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median age
47.7 years
metro-area
#193 of 200 metros
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)
29.1%
metro-area
#145 of 200 metros
Foreign-born residents
15.7%
metro-area
#39 of 200 metros
Homes that are owner-occupied
78.5%
metro-area
#1 of 200 metros
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
10.43%
local
#3094 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
+6.6%
local
#1063 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$191,200
local
#531 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
4.2×
local
#1870 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
-2.9%
metro-area
#188 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$103
local
#535 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
1,849 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,106
local
#682 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
5,262
Median days on market
54
metro-area
#193 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
9.1%
state
#38 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
7.02%
state
#69 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
None
Capital gains tax
None
state
#1 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Social Security in retirement
Not taxed — has no state income tax, so Social Security is untaxed along with everything else
Effective property tax rate
0.78%
local
#1003 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$1,488
local
#332 of 3,220 cities
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
78.9 years
metro-area
#36 of 200 metros
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$7,500
state
#163 of 200 metros
Uninsured (share of residents)
13.9%
metro-area
#174 of 200 metros
Primary care providers per 100k
45
metro-area
#193 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$10,000
state
#58 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$225
state
#153 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
None
state
#1 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Not required
Emissions detail
No vehicle emissions testing
DMV & license offices
4
Avg commute to work
25 min
local
#1224 of 3,220 cities
Commute by driving alone
76.6%
metro-area
#124 of 200 metros
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
44.3%
metro-area
#180 of 200 metros
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
15.4¢/kWh
state
#45 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$138
state
#41 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$3.35/gal
state
#111 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$38
state
#3 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$88
state
#65 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$76
state
#20 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$4,200
state
#183 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$2,900
state
#181 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: hurricanes, flooding — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
95.4 — Relatively High
metro-area
#151 of 200 metros
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$1,400
state
#185 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
40
metro-area
#40 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
3,600
metro-area
#180 of 200 metros
Homes with air conditioning (state)
96%
state
#4 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
500
metro-area
#4 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 90°F
55
metro-area
#134 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 100°F
0
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
Avg summer high (state)
91°F
metro-area
#136 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
52°F
metro-area
#4 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
51.5"
metro-area
#171 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
0.0"
metro-area
#1 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
68%
metro-area
#34 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
10a
Frost window
01-15 → 01-15
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
380
state
#75 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,950
state
#67 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
120
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
Parks
60
Hiking areas
15
Golf courses
15
Shooting ranges
4
Lakes
4
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
3
state
#87 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Moderate
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.