City Comparison

Pembroke Pines vs Racine

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Pembroke Pines

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

Racine

Wisconsin
88
Below Average
$126,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$57,700
Median Income

The Verdict

26.1%

Living in Racine costs 26.1% less than Pembroke Pines. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Pembroke Pines, you would need $59,459 in Racine.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
140
Pembroke Pines
66
Racine
Groceries
105
Pembroke Pines
97
Racine
Utilities
105
Pembroke Pines
94
Racine
Transportation
99
Pembroke Pines
90
Racine
Healthcare
91
Pembroke Pines
111
Racine

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Pembroke Pines has the same purchasing power as $59,459 in Racine.

Conversely, $75,000 in Racine equals $94,602 in Pembroke Pines.

Living in Pembroke Pines vs Racine

Housing Costs

Pembroke Pines's housing index of 140 is higher Racine's 66, translating to median home prices of $440,000 vs $126,000. The $314,000 difference in home prices means roughly $20,412 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,900/mo in Pembroke Pines compared to $1,025/mo in Racine, a monthly difference of $875.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 105 in Pembroke Pines and 97 in Racine. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Pembroke Pines vs $461/month in Racine. Racine offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 105 in Pembroke Pines and 94 in Racine. Monthly utility bills average approximately $420 in Pembroke Pines vs $376 in Racine. 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 91 in Pembroke Pines and 111 in Racine. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $85,900 in Pembroke Pines and $57,700 in Racine. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,387 and $65,568 respectively. Pembroke Pines residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,004/month to housing in Pembroke Pines vs $1,346/month in Racine. In Pembroke Pines, median rent of $1,900/mo fits within this budget. In Racine, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 74 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Racine is 26.1% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 111.
A $75,000 salary in Pembroke Pines has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $59,459 in Racine, based on the cost of living difference.
Pembroke Pines's housing index is 140 with median homes at $440,000, while Racine's is 66 with median homes at $126,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases