Mesa vs Pembroke Pines
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Mesa
Pembroke Pines
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 10.8%, with Mesa being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Mesa has equivalent purchasing power to $84,091 in Pembroke Pines.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Mesa has the same purchasing power as $84,091 in Pembroke Pines.
Conversely, $75,000 in Pembroke Pines equals $66,892 in Mesa.
Living in Mesa vs Pembroke Pines
Housing Costs
Mesa's housing index of 98 is lower Pembroke Pines's 140, translating to median home prices of $350,000 vs $440,000. The $90,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,856 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Mesa compared to $1,900/mo in Pembroke Pines, a monthly difference of $550.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Mesa and 105 in Pembroke Pines. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Mesa vs $499/month in Pembroke Pines. Mesa offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in Mesa and 105 in Pembroke Pines. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Mesa vs $420 in Pembroke Pines. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 95 in Mesa 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 $60,234 in Mesa and $85,900 in Pembroke Pines. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,842 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 $1,405/month to housing in Mesa vs $2,004/month in Pembroke Pines. In Mesa, median rent of $1,350/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 42 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases