Cost of Living in Fort Pierce, FL

Population 48,094 · Florida · Data vintage 2023

80
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

At $46,745, median household incomes in Fort Pierce land roughly 37% below the US median, a gap that tends to persist across local labor-market indicators. A poverty rate near 26% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.

Fort Pierce sits roughly 10 miles north of Port St. Lucie — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 33% lower than Port St. Lucie's $328,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 72
Rent 91

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Fort Pierce

The median home value in Fort Pierce is $220,500 — 28% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,194/month, 9% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $46,745/year is 37% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 9.7%, above the national average of 4.8%. Florida charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 82.6°F and lows of 63.6°F. Overall, Fort Pierce has a cost of living index of 80 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 20% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$220,500
28% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$273,953
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,194/mo
9% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,862/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.4x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.9%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,085
1 BR
$1,181
2 BR
$1,427
3 BR
$1,797
4 BR
$2,099
Owner-occupied 48.9%
Renter-occupied 51.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,194
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,808/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
28.3 min
5% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
9.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
70.0%
Carpooled
14.9%
Public transit
0.8%
Walked
2.1%
Bicycle
0.6%
Work from home
9.7%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None
Total Sales Tax 7.0%
State rate 6.0%
Avg local rate 1.1%
Property Tax 0.9%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$46,745
37% below avg
Per Capita Income
$24,739
Unemployment Rate
9.7%
102% above avg
Poverty Rate
26.2%
Labor Force Participation
55.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 11.3%
Graduate degree 7.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38
Male median age 36.1
Female median age 39.6

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
82.6°F
Avg Low
63.6°F
Annual Precip
51.2"
50° 63° 75° 88° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 737678828689909088847975
Low °F 515457616771737373696156
Precip" 2.822.172.883.033.936.695.856.946.275.253.012.33

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 35 — Good
97.5%
Good air days/yr
80
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
361
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Fort Pierce, FL?

Fort Pierce has a cost index of 80 (100 = national average). It is 20% below the national average.

What is average rent in Fort Pierce, FL?

The median gross rent in Fort Pierce is $1,194 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Fort Pierce?

The median home value in Fort Pierce is $220,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Fort Pierce?

The median household income in Fort Pierce is $46,745 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Fort Pierce, FL?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Fort Pierce is 7.0%. Florida has no state income tax.

Is Fort Pierce, FL affordable?

Yes, Fort Pierce is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 80 — about 20% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Fort Pierce?

Fort Pierce has average high temperatures of 82.6°F and average lows of 63.6°F. Annual precipitation is 51.2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Fort Pierce at a Glance

Population
48,094
Median Income
$46,745
Home Value
$220,500
Median Rent
$1,194/mo
Unemployment
9.7%
Avg High Temp
82.6°F
Sales Tax
7.0%
View all cities in Florida →
🗺️ County data for Florida

Explore county-level cost of living data

Similar Cost Cities

Cities in other states with comparable housing costs