A+
5%
Overall NAT. AVG.
2%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
21%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Fort Pierce Florida National
Cost of living9599100
Goods & Services98100100
Groceries104105100
Health care10394100
Housing7997100
Transportation10799100
Utilities10198100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Fort Pierce, FL

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Fort Pierce is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Fort Pierce is 95, which is 5% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

The cost of living in Fort Pierce is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, goods and services and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.

Is Fort Pierce Affordable?

Wondering if Fort Pierce is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Fort Pierce, for example, the median home price is 30.4% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 1.5% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Fort Pierce boasting a median household income of $55,121, which is 32.2% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Fort Pierce?

Housing: A sought-after location with high housing demand often leads to increased property values and rental rates, which can significantly inflate the overall cost of living. Conversely, areas with low housing demand, particularly in less desirable locales, tend to experience the opposite effect, causing prices to drop and contributing to a more affordable cost of living. In Fort Pierce, the housing index stands at 20.8% lower than the national average.

Utilities: As with the prices of anything else, utility costs can exhibit significant variations, contingent on factors like climate, energy source availability, geographic location and state regulations. The expenses associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, either upward or downward, depending on the particular city or state. In Fort Pierce, the utilities index registers 0.7% higher than the national average.

Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The Fort Pierce cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Fort Pierce is 4% lower than the Florida average
  • The cost of living in Fort Pierce is 5% lower than the national average
  • Fort Pierce housing is 21% lower than the national average
  • Florida general sales tax is 18% higher than the national average
  • Florida state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Fort Pierce

See all the best places to live around Fort Pierce

Compare Fort Pierce, FL Cost of Living

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      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$65,367$5,447$1,525$1,961
      Renters$47,072$3,923$1,098$1,412
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Fort Pierce, FL, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Fort Pierce homeowners, is $65,367. This would allow for a maximum of $1,525 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $47,072 which would result in a maximum of $1,098 to be spent on rental costs.

      Florida Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Florida 6% 7.5%

      Florida Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Florida 0% 0%

      Goods & Services

      Item Fort Pierce National avg. Difference
      Haircut $20.05$27.6227.4%
      Beauty Salon $55.75$51.119.1%
      Toothpaste $4.06$4.090.8%
      Shampoo $1.75$1.5413.5%
      Movie $9.43$12.8826.8%
      Yoga $18.02$19.668.3%

      Groceries

      Item Fort Pierce National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.56$7.701.9%
      Fried Chicken $1.56$1.666.2%
      Milk $4.83$4.732.0%
      Potatoes $5.92$5.2612.6%
      Pizza $9.52$12.7625.4%
      Beer $11.11$10.555.3%

      Health Care

      Item Fort Pierce National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $155.71$140.0611.2%
      Doctor $186.99$153.8221.6%
      Dentist $120.92$123.151.8%
      Ibuprofen $11.92$11.731.6%
      Lipitor $19.52$23.6117.3%

      Housing

      Item Fort Pierce National avg. Difference
      Home Price $227,387.00$326,622.0030.4%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,202.14$2,480.2511.2%
      Apartment Rent $1,465.00$1,444.001.5%

      Transportation

      Item Fort Pierce National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.11$3.061.8%
      Tire Balancing $77.98$65.2119.6%

      Utilities

      Item Fort Pierce National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $220.86$220.120.3%
      Phone $198.70$195.711.5%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Rio, FL7331011.2%
      Ocean Breeze Park, FL2228119.0%
      Fort Pierce North, FL7,4168910.9%
      West Vero Corridor, FL10,908918.6%
      River Park, FL7,343964.5%
      Fort Pierce, FL47,562955.4%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Middletown, CT47,54011413.7%
      Woodstock, ON47,584n/a 
      Everett, MA47,66014848.3%
      Littleton, CO47,71913737.3%
      Cornwall, ON47,736n/a 
      Fort Pierce, FL47,562955.4%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.