City Comparison

Arlington vs Pembroke Pines

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Arlington

Texas
96
Average
$260,000
Median Home
$1,300/mo
Median Rent
$60,138
Median Income

Pembroke Pines

Florida
111
Above Average
$440,000
Median Home
$1,900/mo
Median Rent
$85,900
Median Income

The Verdict

13.5%

Living in Arlington costs 13.5% less than Pembroke Pines. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Arlington, you would need $86,719 in Pembroke Pines.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
86
Arlington
140
Pembroke Pines
Groceries
96
Arlington
105
Pembroke Pines
Utilities
99
Arlington
105
Pembroke Pines
Transportation
106
Arlington
99
Pembroke Pines
Healthcare
100
Arlington
91
Pembroke Pines

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $86,719 in Pembroke Pines.

Conversely, $75,000 in Pembroke Pines equals $64,865 in Arlington.

Living in Arlington vs Pembroke Pines

Housing Costs

Arlington's housing index of 86 is lower Pembroke Pines's 140, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $440,000. The $180,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,700 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,300/mo in Arlington compared to $1,900/mo in Pembroke Pines, a monthly difference of $600.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Arlington and 105 in Pembroke Pines. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Arlington vs $499/month in Pembroke Pines. Arlington offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 99 in Arlington and 105 in Pembroke Pines. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Arlington vs $420 in Pembroke Pines. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 100 in Arlington and 91 in Pembroke Pines. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $60,138 in Arlington and $85,900 in Pembroke Pines. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,644 and $77,387 respectively. Pembroke Pines residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,403/month to housing in Arlington vs $2,004/month in Pembroke Pines. In Arlington, median rent of $1,300/mo fits within this budget. In Pembroke Pines, median rent of $1,900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 54 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington is 13.5% more affordable overall with an index of 96 vs 111.
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $86,719 in Pembroke Pines, based on the cost of living difference.
Arlington's housing index is 86 with median homes at $260,000, while Pembroke Pines's is 140 with median homes at $440,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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