City Comparison

Birmingham vs Pembroke Pines

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Birmingham

Alabama
87
Below Average
$165,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$38,178
Median Income

Pembroke Pines

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

The Verdict

21.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 21.6%, with Birmingham being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Birmingham has equivalent purchasing power to $95,690 in Pembroke Pines.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
67
Birmingham
140
Pembroke Pines
Groceries
96
Birmingham
105
Pembroke Pines
Utilities
92
Birmingham
105
Pembroke Pines
Transportation
99
Birmingham
99
Pembroke Pines
Healthcare
91
Birmingham
91
Pembroke Pines

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Birmingham has the same purchasing power as $95,690 in Pembroke Pines.

Conversely, $75,000 in Pembroke Pines equals $58,784 in Birmingham.

Living in Birmingham vs Pembroke Pines

Housing Costs

Birmingham's housing index of 67 is lower Pembroke Pines's 140, translating to median home prices of $165,000 vs $440,000. The $275,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,880 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Birmingham compared to $1,900/mo in Pembroke Pines, a monthly difference of $900.

Grocery & Food Costs

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

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 92 in Birmingham and 105 in Pembroke Pines. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Birmingham vs $420 in Pembroke Pines. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 91 in Birmingham and 91 in Pembroke Pines. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $38,178 in Birmingham and $85,900 in Pembroke Pines. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,883 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 $891/month to housing in Birmingham vs $2,004/month in Pembroke Pines. In Birmingham, median rent of $1,000/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 73 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Birmingham is 21.6% more affordable overall with an index of 87 vs 111.
A $75,000 salary in Birmingham has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $95,690 in Pembroke Pines, based on the cost of living difference.
Birmingham's housing index is 67 with median homes at $165,000, while Pembroke Pines's is 140 with median homes at $440,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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