Arlington vs Pembroke Pines
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
Pembroke Pines
The Verdict
Pembroke Pines is 47.7% less expensive than Arlington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Arlington would need approximately $50,762 in Pembroke Pines to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $50,762 in Pembroke Pines.
Conversely, $75,000 in Pembroke Pines equals $110,811 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs Pembroke Pines
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Pembroke Pines's 140, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $440,000. The $300,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,500 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,900/mo in Pembroke Pines, a monthly difference of $450.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 105 in Pembroke Pines. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $499/month in Pembroke Pines. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Arlington and 105 in Pembroke Pines. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $420 in Pembroke Pines. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 91 in Pembroke Pines. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 26-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $145,000 in Arlington and $85,900 in Pembroke Pines. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $77,387 respectively. Arlington residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,383/month to housing in Arlington vs $2,004/month in Pembroke Pines. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/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 109 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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