City Comparison

New Orleans vs Pembroke Pines

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

New Orleans

Louisiana
97
Average
$245,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$43,258
Median Income

Pembroke Pines

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

The Verdict

12.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 12.6%, with New Orleans being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in New Orleans has equivalent purchasing power to $85,825 in Pembroke Pines.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
95
New Orleans
140
Pembroke Pines
Groceries
99
New Orleans
105
Pembroke Pines
Utilities
91
New Orleans
105
Pembroke Pines
Transportation
103
New Orleans
99
Pembroke Pines
Healthcare
94
New Orleans
91
Pembroke Pines

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in New Orleans has the same purchasing power as $85,825 in Pembroke Pines.

Conversely, $75,000 in Pembroke Pines equals $65,541 in New Orleans.

Living in New Orleans vs Pembroke Pines

Housing Costs

New Orleans's housing index of 95 is lower Pembroke Pines's 140, translating to median home prices of $245,000 vs $440,000. The $195,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,672 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in New Orleans compared to $1,900/mo in Pembroke Pines, a monthly difference of $700.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in New Orleans and 105 in Pembroke Pines. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in New Orleans vs $499/month in Pembroke Pines. New Orleans offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 91 in New Orleans and 105 in Pembroke Pines. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in New Orleans 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 94 in New Orleans 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 $43,258 in New Orleans and $85,900 in Pembroke Pines. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $44,596 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 $1,009/month to housing in New Orleans vs $2,004/month in Pembroke Pines. In New Orleans, median rent of $1,200/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 45 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

New Orleans is 12.6% more affordable overall with an index of 97 vs 111.
A $75,000 salary in New Orleans has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $85,825 in Pembroke Pines, based on the cost of living difference.
New Orleans's housing index is 95 with median homes at $245,000, while Pembroke Pines's is 140 with median homes at $440,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases