P
ort St. Lucie's rental market is a hot commodity, with nine renters vying for each available unit - a decrease from last year's 12 hopefuls. This intense competition stems from a perfect storm of factors: apartments fly off the market in no time, occupancy rates are high, and many residents renew their leases rather than seeking new digs. The city's rapid growth has led to a surge in luxury apartments, but a dearth of affordable options. According to the 2024 Housing Needs Assessment, Port St. Lucie has "very little naturally occurring affordable units" - a stark reality for its 37,401 renter households.

    The median rent in Port St. Lucie reached $2,575 in 2024, a whopping 29% above the national average. This has priced out many middle-class and working-class families, forcing them to choose between living unaffordably or relocating to neighboring counties. Despite being one of Florida's fastest-growing cities, Port St. Lucie's housing market remains woefully inadequate for its residents' needs.