Carmel vs Pompano Beach
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Carmel
Pompano Beach
The Verdict
Living in Carmel costs 4.5% less than Pompano Beach. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Carmel, you would need $78,538 in Pompano Beach.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Carmel has the same purchasing power as $78,538 in Pompano Beach.
Conversely, $75,000 in Pompano Beach equals $71,622 in Carmel.
Living in Carmel vs Pompano Beach
Housing Costs
Carmel's housing index of 134 is higher Pompano Beach's 133, translating to median home prices of $478,000 vs $349,000. The $129,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,388 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,700/mo in Carmel compared to $1,750/mo in Pompano Beach, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Carmel and 104 in Pompano Beach. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Carmel vs $494/month in Pompano Beach. 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 97 in Carmel and 105 in Pompano Beach. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Carmel vs $420 in Pompano Beach. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 89 in Carmel and 93 in Pompano Beach. 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 $141,500 in Carmel and $67,200 in Pompano Beach. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $133,491 and $60,541 respectively. Carmel residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,302/month to housing in Carmel vs $1,568/month in Pompano Beach. In Carmel, median rent of $1,700/mo fits within this budget. In Pompano Beach, median rent of $1,750/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 14 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases