2027 MNM LIVABILITY INDEX

Fort Pierce

Florida (FL)

Best for: Beach and boating households, retirees and value-conscious residents who want a historic waterfront city at a lower price than much of South Florida.

2027 CITY CLASSSmall City25,000–99,999 residents

Modern Livability78.7/ 100

AT A GLANCE

Everyday numbers

Population51,737

Median Home$245,800

Median Rent$1,328

Median Household Income$47,560

Cost of Living~101.5 (US=100; 2024 MSA)

Average Commute22.5 min

Unemployment~4.9% metro (Jul 2026)

Metro AreaPort St. Lucie, FL

2027 MODERN LIVABILITY SCORECARD

How this city actually lives

Twelve dimensions capture both hard data and the everyday experience traditional lists tend to miss.

78.7overall

Housing & Financial Reality93.0

Housing burden, taxes, insurance, utilities and what local incomes actually buy.

Ease of Living82.0

Errands, commute friction, parking, services and the effort required for daily life.

Safety & Stability58.0

Personal, neighborhood, road and environmental stability.

Economic Opportunity68.0

Jobs, wages, career mobility, employer diversity and economic resilience.

Health & Wellness76.0

Healthcare access, activity, mental wellness, healthy food and environmental health.

Beauty & Sense of Place87.0

Scenery, architecture, trees, cleanliness, public realm and distinct sense of place.

Mobility & Congestion65.0

Traffic delay, commute reliability, walking, cycling and transit usefulness.

Nature & Escape95.0

Trails, water, mountains, parks, public lands and how easily residents can escape.

Diversity & Belonging83.0

Diversity, integration, accessibility, newcomer friendliness and community connection.

Climate & Environment80.0

Comfortable weather, air quality, severe weather and environmental exposure.

Community & Culture82.0

Restaurants, arts, events, third places, recreation and social life.

Infrastructure & Connectivity76.0

Broadband, utilities, airport, highways, transit and essential connectivity.

THE THINGS OLD-SCHOOL LISTS MISS

What daily life feels like

Traffic / CongestionLow to moderate. Local travel is easier than in Miami or Palm Beach, though fast growth is adding pressure to major corridors.

Weekend EscapeExcellent. Beaches, lagoon access, preserves and Treasure Coast recreation are easy to reach.

WalkabilityAbout 42/100 citywide Walk Score. The city is car-dependent overall, so location within the city has a large effect on everyday convenience.

Airport AccessGood. Palm Beach International is the nearest major commercial airport for many trips, with Orlando and Fort Lauderdale expanding options.

Outdoor AccessExceptional. Atlantic beaches, waterways, paddling, fishing and nearby preserves make outdoor life one of the city's defining advantages.

Healthcare AccessStrong. Major hospital and specialty-care systems are available locally or within the surrounding metro, providing practical access to emergency and routine care.

Air QualityGenerally good with coastal influence; heat, humidity, pollen and occasional smoke are the primary concerns.

Third Places / Social LifeGood to very good. Parks, cafés, restaurants, community events and neighborhood commercial areas provide regular gathering places, with depth varying by district.

EDITORIAL VIEW

More than a number

Trajectory: Improving

WHY IT STANDS OUT

Why we chose it

Fort Pierce stands out in the 2027 MNM Livability Index for affordable coastal housing; beaches; boating; historic downtown; short commute; treasure coast location. Its profile balances housing, ease of living, safety, opportunity, wellness, beauty, mobility, nature, belonging, climate, culture and infrastructure rather than relying on one traditional metric. The biggest tradeoffs are lower household income; uneven neighborhood safety; storm exposure; limited high-wage job market.

REAL LIFE

What living here actually feels like

Fort Pierce feels authentic, maritime and less polished than many Florida beach towns. Its downtown, inlet and working-waterfront identity give it real character.

STRENGTHS