Dayton vs Pembroke Pines
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Dayton
Pembroke Pines
The Verdict
Dayton is 27.9% less expensive than Pembroke Pines overall. A household earning $75,000 in Dayton would need approximately $104,063 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 Dayton has the same purchasing power as $104,063 in Pembroke Pines.
Conversely, $75,000 in Pembroke Pines equals $54,054 in Dayton.
Living in Dayton vs Pembroke Pines
Housing Costs
Dayton's housing index of 46 is lower Pembroke Pines's 140, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $440,000. The $305,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,824 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $1,900/mo in Pembroke Pines, a monthly difference of $1,000.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 105 in Pembroke Pines. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton vs $499/month in Pembroke Pines. Dayton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 109 in Dayton and 105 in Pembroke Pines. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton vs $420 in Pembroke Pines. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 114 in Dayton and 91 in Pembroke Pines. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 23-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $43,500 in Dayton and $85,900 in Pembroke Pines. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 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 $1,015/month to housing in Dayton vs $2,004/month in Pembroke Pines. In Dayton, median rent of $900/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 94 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases