Treasure Coast renters are still paying substantially more than the typical U.S. renter, even as local markets move in different directions. July 2026 data shows Port St. Lucie posting a yearly increase, Stuart holding steady and rents declining in Vero Beach, Sebastian and Fort Pierce.
Key takeaways
- Port St. Lucie had the region’s highest median rent at $2,600 per month.
- Stuart and Vero Beach both recorded median rents of $2,500, but their trends differed.
- Sebastian was the least expensive market listed at $2,000, though it remained above the national average.
- Larger homes and single-family houses generally commanded higher rents than apartments.
The figures come from Zumper data covering rental listings in five Treasure Coast communities. The national average used for comparison was $1,930 per month.
Port St. Lucie remains the region’s most expensive market
Port St. Lucie’s median rent reached $2,600 in July, a 2.7% increase from the same month in 2025. That represents roughly $75 more per month than a year earlier and places the city about 35% above the national average.
The market’s median was slightly below its recent $2,700 peak, recorded in April. The data included 590 rental units, the second-highest listing count among the five markets.
Stuart and Vero Beach show contrasting trends
Stuart’s median rent was also $2,500. While the figure was essentially unchanged from a year earlier, it rose 5.7% from the previous month. With 228 rentals counted, Stuart remained about 30% more expensive than the national average.
Vero Beach had the same $2,500 median but moved in the opposite direction. Rents fell 2% year over year and 5.7% month over month. The market included 610 rentals, the largest snapshot among the communities examined.
Sebastian and Fort Pierce offer lower-cost options
Sebastian had the lowest median rent at $2,000, but that was still about 4% above the national average. Its median declined 13% from a year earlier, despite a 2.4% monthly increase. The market included 56 rentals.
Fort Pierce recorded a $2,200 median rent, down 5.8% annually but up 2.3% from the previous month. Its median was approximately 14% above the national average, with 245 rentals in the data.
Home size and property type affect the price
Rental costs varied widely by bedroom count. In Port St. Lucie, studios averaged about $1,300, while homes with at least four bedrooms reached roughly $2,900. In Stuart, the comparable range stretched from about $1,638 to $4,500.
Vero Beach listings ranged from approximately $1,418 for studios to $3,650 for four-bedroom-or-larger units. Fort Pierce had the lowest studio figure, at about $1,050, while its largest rentals averaged roughly $2,600.
Single-family houses also tended to cost more than apartments. In Port St. Lucie, houses had a $2,700 median rent compared with $2,368 for apartments and represented 82.3% of rentals. In Fort Pierce, houses had a $2,250 median, versus $1,600 for apartments.
These differences suggest that the headline citywide median only partly reflects what renters will pay. Bedroom count, property type and the mix of available listings can significantly change the cost of housing from one community to another.
Sources
- Where rent is rising and falling in Florida, Treasure Coast News.