Cost of Living in Port St. Joe, FL

Population 3,499 · Florida · Data vintage 2023

96
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Port St. Joe a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $281,000.

Located 75 miles southwest of Tallahassee, Port St. Joe is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Housing prices track closely with Tallahassee's $276,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 92
Rent 102

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

About the Cost of Living in Port St. Joe

The median home value in Port St. Joe is $280,600 — 8% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,342/month, 2% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $60,347/year is 19% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.0%, 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 77.9°F and lows of 60.3°F. Overall, Port St. Joe has a cost of living index of 96 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 4% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$280,600
8% below avg
Median Rent
$1,342/mo
2% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.4x
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 79.7%
Renter-occupied 20.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,342
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,956/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
21.1 min
22% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
10.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
68.5%
Carpooled
17.6%
Walked
0.5%
Bicycle
0.4%
Work from home
10.4%

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
$60,347
19% below avg
Per Capita Income
$35,865
Unemployment Rate
6.0%
25% above avg
Poverty Rate
10.3%
Labor Force Participation
50.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 19.4%
Graduate degree 13.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 52.9
Male median age 56.1
Female median age 52.9

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
77.9°F
Avg Low
60.3°F
Annual Precip
53.1"
40° 53° 65° 78° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 646671768489908987817366
Low °F 444753586673757572625247
Precip" 4.064.174.342.911.875.865.747.795.383.633.743.59

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Port St. Joe, FL?

Port St. Joe has a cost index of 96 (100 = national average). It is 4% below the national average.

What is average rent in Port St. Joe, FL?

The median gross rent in Port St. Joe is $1,342 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Port St. Joe?

The median home value in Port St. Joe is $280,600 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Port St. Joe?

The median household income in Port St. Joe is $60,347 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Port St. Joe, FL?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Port St. Joe is 7.0%. Florida has no state income tax.

Is Port St. Joe, FL affordable?

Port St. Joe is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 96 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Port St. Joe?

Port St. Joe has average high temperatures of 77.9°F and average lows of 60.3°F. Annual precipitation is 53.1". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Port St. Joe at a Glance

Population
3,499
Median Income
$60,347
Home Value
$280,600
Median Rent
$1,342/mo
Unemployment
6.0%
Avg High Temp
77.9°F
Sales Tax
7.0%
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