City Comparison

Fayetteville vs Pembroke Pines

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Fayetteville

North Carolina
81
Very Affordable
$213,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$49,800
Median Income

Pembroke Pines

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

The Verdict

27.0%

Living in Fayetteville costs 27.0% less than Pembroke Pines. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Fayetteville, you would need $102,778 in Pembroke Pines.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
52
Fayetteville
140
Pembroke Pines
Groceries
94
Fayetteville
105
Pembroke Pines
Utilities
98
Fayetteville
105
Pembroke Pines
Transportation
77
Fayetteville
99
Pembroke Pines
Healthcare
106
Fayetteville
91
Pembroke Pines

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Fayetteville has the same purchasing power as $102,778 in Pembroke Pines.

Conversely, $75,000 in Pembroke Pines equals $54,730 in Fayetteville.

Living in Fayetteville vs Pembroke Pines

Housing Costs

Fayetteville's housing index of 52 is lower Pembroke Pines's 140, translating to median home prices of $213,000 vs $440,000. The $227,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,760 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Fayetteville compared to $1,900/mo in Pembroke Pines, a monthly difference of $825.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Fayetteville and 105 in Pembroke Pines. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Fayetteville vs $499/month in Pembroke Pines. Fayetteville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 98 in Fayetteville and 105 in Pembroke Pines. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Fayetteville vs $420 in Pembroke Pines. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 106 in Fayetteville and 91 in Pembroke Pines. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $49,800 in Fayetteville and $85,900 in Pembroke Pines. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,481 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 $1,162/month to housing in Fayetteville vs $2,004/month in Pembroke Pines. In Fayetteville, median rent of $1,075/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 88 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fayetteville is 27.0% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 111.
A $75,000 salary in Fayetteville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $102,778 in Pembroke Pines, based on the cost of living difference.
Fayetteville's housing index is 52 with median homes at $213,000, while Pembroke Pines's is 140 with median homes at $440,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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