City Comparison

Pembroke Pines vs Raleigh

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Pembroke Pines

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

Raleigh

North Carolina
102
Average
$370,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$67,266
Median Income

The Verdict

8.8%

Living in Raleigh costs 8.8% less than Pembroke Pines. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Pembroke Pines, you would need $68,919 in Raleigh.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
140
Pembroke Pines
107
Raleigh
Groceries
105
Pembroke Pines
100
Raleigh
Utilities
105
Pembroke Pines
94
Raleigh
Transportation
99
Pembroke Pines
100
Raleigh
Healthcare
91
Pembroke Pines
108
Raleigh

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Pembroke Pines has the same purchasing power as $68,919 in Raleigh.

Conversely, $75,000 in Raleigh equals $81,618 in Pembroke Pines.

Living in Pembroke Pines vs Raleigh

Housing Costs

Pembroke Pines's housing index of 140 is higher Raleigh's 107, translating to median home prices of $440,000 vs $370,000. The $70,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,548 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,900/mo in Pembroke Pines compared to $1,500/mo in Raleigh, a monthly difference of $400.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 105 in Pembroke Pines and 100 in Raleigh. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Pembroke Pines vs $475/month in Raleigh. 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 105 in Pembroke Pines and 94 in Raleigh. Monthly utility bills average approximately $420 in Pembroke Pines vs $376 in Raleigh. 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 108 in Raleigh. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-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 $67,266 in Raleigh. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,387 and $65,947 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 $1,570/month in Raleigh. In Pembroke Pines, median rent of $1,900/mo fits within this budget. In Raleigh, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 33 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Raleigh is 8.8% more affordable overall with an index of 102 vs 111.
A $75,000 salary in Pembroke Pines has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $68,919 in Raleigh, based on the cost of living difference.
Pembroke Pines's housing index is 140 with median homes at $440,000, while Raleigh's is 107 with median homes at $370,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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