CostIndexUSA

Port St. Lucie, FL vs Waterloo, IA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

FL
Port St. Lucie
100.2
overall index
$2,325/mo rent
More AffordableIA
Waterloo
87.1
overall index
$1,075/mo rent

Waterloo is moderately cheaper than Port St. Lucie — 13.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Port St. Lucie, you would need $69,500 in Waterloo. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing44.5%
Port St. Lucie
113.6
Waterloo
63.1
🛒 Groceries2.6%
Port St. Lucie
96.2
Waterloo
93.7
🚗 Transportation6.0%
Port St. Lucie
103.8
Waterloo
97.6
🏥 Healthcare6.0%
Port St. Lucie
93.9
Waterloo
88.3
Utilities3.8%
Port St. Lucie
87
Waterloo
83.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Port St. Lucie to see what you'd need to earn in Waterloo to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Waterloo, IA
$69,500
$10,500 less needed in Waterloo

Formula: salary × (87.1 ÷ 100.2) = salary × 0.8693. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Port St. Lucie, FL

Median Home Price
$375,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,325
Housing Index
113.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.4×

Waterloo, IA

Median Home Price
$192,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,075
Housing Index
63.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.9×

Port St. Lucie has 44.5% lower housing costs compared to Waterloo.

Income & Job Market

Port St. Lucie, FL

Median Household Income
$68,300
Per Capita Income
$38,900
Unemployment Rate
5%
Population
204,851
Top Industries
HealthcareRetailConstructionTourismFinance

Waterloo, IA

Median Household Income
$62,400
Per Capita Income
$35,600
Unemployment Rate
3%
Population
67,470
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareAgricultureRetailEducation

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Port St. Lucie, FL
2.4×income-to-rent ratio

59% of income left after rent (median)

Waterloo, IA
4.8×income-to-rent ratio

79% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.