City Comparison

Brownsville vs Pembroke Pines

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Brownsville

Texas
75
Very Affordable
$155,000
Median Home
$875/mo
Median Rent
$52,100
Median Income

Pembroke Pines

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

The Verdict

32.4%

The cost gap between these cities is 32.4%, with Brownsville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Brownsville has equivalent purchasing power to $111,000 in Pembroke Pines.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
58
Brownsville
140
Pembroke Pines
Groceries
87
Brownsville
105
Pembroke Pines
Utilities
79
Brownsville
105
Pembroke Pines
Transportation
84
Brownsville
99
Pembroke Pines
Healthcare
92
Brownsville
91
Pembroke Pines

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Brownsville has the same purchasing power as $111,000 in Pembroke Pines.

Conversely, $75,000 in Pembroke Pines equals $50,676 in Brownsville.

Living in Brownsville vs Pembroke Pines

Housing Costs

Brownsville's housing index of 58 is lower Pembroke Pines's 140, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $440,000. The $285,000 difference in home prices means roughly $18,528 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Brownsville compared to $1,900/mo in Pembroke Pines, a monthly difference of $1,025.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 87 in Brownsville and 105 in Pembroke Pines. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $413/month in Brownsville vs $499/month in Pembroke Pines. Brownsville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $1032/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 79 in Brownsville and 105 in Pembroke Pines. Monthly utility bills average approximately $316 in Brownsville 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 92 in Brownsville 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 $52,100 in Brownsville and $85,900 in Pembroke Pines. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,467 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 $1,216/month to housing in Brownsville vs $2,004/month in Pembroke Pines. In Brownsville, median rent of $875/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 82 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brownsville is 32.4% more affordable overall with an index of 75 vs 111.
A $75,000 salary in Brownsville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $111,000 in Pembroke Pines, based on the cost of living difference.
Brownsville's housing index is 58 with median homes at $155,000, while Pembroke Pines's is 140 with median homes at $440,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases