Cost of Living Port Charlotte, FL

Is Port Charlotte, FL, an expensive place to live? Let's look a little deeper into the costs of living in Port Charlotte, the average household income, typical expenses, and more!

If you are looking for a friendly community, fantastic weather, and a high quality of life, then Port Charlotte may be a place for you to move to. Port Charlotte is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Charlotte County, Florida, with a total population of 60,625 residents who love to call this place their home. 

Located in the heart of it all, Port Charlotte has endless things to do: enjoy the golf courses, shopping, fishing, swimming, and so much more! While it has a lot to offer, it is also ranked one of the best locations to live in Florida due to the quality of life that it offers its residents.

With a median home price of $319,018 and a median rent of $1,016, Port Charlotte is number 4 on the list of one of the cheapest places to live. Loving where you live is very important when moving somewhere, but also being comfortable where you live is another essential thing, and here in Port Charlotte, you will experience that. 

In this guide, we will be covering the cost of living in Port Charlotte, Florida, with data that covers data from all of the significant areas. These categories will help you have a much better idea of what you'll need to budget in a place that you love.

Cost of Living Port Charlotte

Overall, Port Charlotte is a low-cost place to live in Florida compared to other cities in Florida. The cost of living is about 1.7 percent lower than the national average. One major thing that makes this place a cheaper place is the cost of housing which is another main reason why people love to move here.

This city overall is relatively affordable due to housing and transportation; however, it would be best to keep in mind that the cost of living does vary depending on where you are located, your income, family size, and many other variables.

According to 247Wallst, the total costs of housing, food, child care, transportation, health care, taxes, and other necessities for a single adult here is about $34,639 a year, with is less than the annual cost of living for the state of Florida in all and less than the national figure as well. So in all, the cost of living here is lower than the national average, while on the other hand, goods and services are about 6 percent higher than the national average. 

Housing Costs

Housing costs are one of the most significant components when determining the cost of living for a place. In Port Charlotte, the median home price is $414,506, and the median rent is about $1,016. However, the housing market here is considered to be somewhat competitive, and on average, each home gets at least 1 offer and usually sells in around 20-25 days.

In April of 2023, the housing market was considered to be a seller's market which is something you should jump on if you are interested in moving to this area. Port Charlotte has been ranked one of the most popular places to move to in Florida, so if you are considering moving to Port Charlotte, check out single-family homes, townhomes for sale, and condos for sale in Port Charlotte. 

On the other hand, you should remember that housing costs do vary depending on the location, size, and type of house. The overall housing costs here are considered to be more affordable than other surrounding areas but still a little higher than most cities in Florida. On the plus side, the area's low property tax and no state income tax does help the housing costs in this area. Make sure you keep up to date with the real estate trends to ensure you get the best options out there. 

Income

The average household income in Port Charlotte is about $61,019, with a poverty rate of about 14 percent. On the other hand, Port Charlotte has an unemployment rate of 5 percent, which is lower than the national average of about 6 percent. 

Port Charlotte has seen the job market increase by 1.9 percent over the last year, and future job growth over the next couple of years is predicted to be 39 percent which is higher than the national average. However, it would help if you kept in mind that the average income does vary depending on many things like occupation, experience, and education level. 

Port Charlotte's largest industries are health care and social assistance, retail trade construction, finance and insurance, transportation and warehousing, and utilities. Males in Florida have an average income that is about 2 percent higher than females, but on the plus side, the income inequality in Florida is lower than the national average. 

Overall, Port Charlotte has a diverse economy that is currently thriving, but on the other side, it is also known for its retirement communities as well. Taking into account other costs of living costs is essential when trying to estimate average incomes. 

Utilities

On average, Port Charlotte residents spend about $195 per month on electricity, which is about $2,340 a year. These numbers make the utility costs about 18 percent higher than the national average electric bill, which is about $1,987.

However, keep in mind that utility costs can vary a lot depending on the location, the kind of gas you use, the size of your home, the appliances you use, and, especially for Florida, the weather. Since Port Charlotte is in Florida, you will be living in extremely warm weather, so keep in mind the costs you will be used for air conditioning, especially during the summer season.

Food

Food is an everyday expense that has a significant impact on the overall cost of living that many people do not take into account. In Port Charlotte, a single adult spends an average of $3,416 on food annually, and a family of four spends about $9,866 on average. On the plus side, the food costs here are more affordable than in other cities in Florida and in the United States.

However, it would be best if you kept in mind that food costs are not a fixed expense like others and will vary depending on where you grocery shop, the diet you are on, the size of your family, and how much you eat out. Budgeting will always be the best option while check-in gout some affordable restaurants to keep the food costs lower. Overall, food costs here are lower than in other places, which is something good to keep in mind. 

Healthcare

For a single adult living in Port Charlotte, the average health care costs are about $4,116 per year compared to the national average of $4,266 and state average of $4,213. There are low-cost affordable clinics available to the residents that provide information to patients and help them find affordable health insurance. They rank number 46 out of 50 for affordable health insurance.

Overall, healthcare costs and insurance premiums are closely in line with the national average and state average. Deciding on the costs of health care does vary depending on what insurance plans you have, the size of your family, and many other things. Make sure you find the best plan available for you to keep the overall costs lower. 

Transportation

Transportation can be a significant variable of the cost of living. About 88 percent of commuters in Port Charlotte drive to work compared to 85 percent nationwide. About half of the working population commute to jobs outside of Port Charlotte, which is a more significant number of people compared to the national average. 

On average, the commute time here is about 23.1 minutes long, compared to the 26-minute average commute time nationally. On the other hand, when deciding how much transportation costs, you should take into account gas, car maintenance, public transport, or other alternatives. On average, the EPI estimates that a single person who lives in Port Charlotte spends about $9,935 a year on transportation which is about the same as the national average. 

Taxes

Accounting for state and federal income taxes, Social Security contributions, and Medicare, the average adult living in Port Charlotte will pay about $4,982 annually on taxes which is very close in line with the statewide average but still lower. 

The average sales tax rate for Port Charlotte is 7 percent. This number is the total for state, county, and city sales tax rates. The state of Florida tax rate is currently 6 percent, the county sales tax rate is at 1 percent, and Port Charlotte has no sales tax rate. Florida is also one of the states that do not have an individual income tax rate. Overall, residents of Port Charlotte have a low tax burden. 

FAQ

Is Port Charlotte an excellent place to move to?

Port Charlotte is ranked as one of the best locations to live in Florida due to the quality of life that it offers its residents. The warm weather, welcoming community, and plentiful sights and activities are all some reasons why the residents love to call this place their home.

What are the pros and cons of Port Charlotte?

The main pros for Port Charlotte are the great weather, no state income tax, sunny days, friendly people, and low housing costs. The main cons of this city are it does get a lot of tourists during certain seasons, the cost of living is up there, there are lots of different bugs, and it has hot, humid, and long summers. 

Is Port Charlotte expensive?

Overall, Port Charlotte is considered to be a low-cost place to live in Florida when comparing it to other cities in Florida. The cost of living here is relatively lower than both the national and state average while also getting all of the same amenities as other places.

Is Port Charlotte cheap to live in?

Port Charlotte has a median home price of $414,506 and a median rent of $1,016, which ranks this city 4th on the list of cheapest places to live in this area. Port Charlotte is cheaper because most of the opportunities here are hospitality, healthcare, and fishing industries, which tend to be lower-paying.

Is Port Charlotte prone to flooding?

Since Port Charlotte is near the water, flooding is always people's worry when moving here. Overall, this city has an extreme risk of flooding over the next couple of years which means it is more likely to impact the daily life of this community and is something to keep in mind.

Finding the perfect place to live - Port Charlotte, FL

Port Charlotte has a lot to offer its residents, whether it is a warm and welcoming community, beautiful beaches, a thriving economy, and so much more. Residents here are able to live the perfect Florida lifestyle comfortably and affordably. The low housing costs here are one of the main reasons why people are moving to Port Charlotte. The affordability plus the proximity to beaches, restaurants, and other popular cities are just a few reasons why this is a perfect city.

If you or anyone you know is interested in searching for homes for sale in Port Charlotte, Florida, please get in touch with us here so we can connect you with one of our Realty Specialists to help make this transition for you go smoothly. No matter the location, price, or preferences, we are here to help you through every step of the house-buying process to ensure that we can find the perfect home that meets all of your needs and lifestyle perfectly.

Please feel free to contact us here today for any questions or help. Suppose you are interested in moving to Port Charlotte. In that case, you should check out some of our other local area guides, like moving to Port Charlotte, things to do in Port Charlotte, best beaches in Port Charlotte, the best neighborhoods in Port Charlotte, and moving to Florida.