Elgin vs Pembroke Pines
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Elgin
Pembroke Pines
The Verdict
Elgin is 14.4% less expensive than Pembroke Pines overall. A household earning $75,000 in Elgin would need approximately $87,632 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 Elgin has the same purchasing power as $87,632 in Pembroke Pines.
Conversely, $75,000 in Pembroke Pines equals $64,189 in Elgin.
Living in Elgin vs Pembroke Pines
Housing Costs
Elgin's housing index of 89 is lower Pembroke Pines's 140, translating to median home prices of $279,000 vs $440,000. The $161,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,464 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Elgin compared to $1,900/mo in Pembroke Pines, a monthly difference of $525.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in Elgin and 105 in Pembroke Pines. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Elgin 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 89 in Elgin and 105 in Pembroke Pines. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Elgin 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 105 in Elgin and 91 in Pembroke Pines. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $90,300 in Elgin and $85,900 in Pembroke Pines. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $95,053 and $77,387 respectively. Elgin residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,107/month to housing in Elgin vs $2,004/month in Pembroke Pines. In Elgin, median rent of $1,375/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 51 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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