City Comparison

Pembroke Pines vs Rapid City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Pembroke Pines

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

Rapid City

South Dakota
98
Average
$325,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$70,900
Median Income

The Verdict

13.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 13.3%, with Rapid City being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Pembroke Pines has equivalent purchasing power to $66,216 in Rapid City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
140
Pembroke Pines
91
Rapid City
Groceries
105
Pembroke Pines
102
Rapid City
Utilities
105
Pembroke Pines
87
Rapid City
Transportation
99
Pembroke Pines
102
Rapid City
Healthcare
91
Pembroke Pines
107
Rapid City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Pembroke Pines has the same purchasing power as $66,216 in Rapid City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Rapid City equals $84,949 in Pembroke Pines.

Living in Pembroke Pines vs Rapid City

Housing Costs

Pembroke Pines's housing index of 140 is higher Rapid City's 91, translating to median home prices of $440,000 vs $325,000. The $115,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,476 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,900/mo in Pembroke Pines compared to $1,100/mo in Rapid City, a monthly difference of $800.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 105 in Pembroke Pines and 102 in Rapid City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Pembroke Pines vs $485/month in Rapid City. 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 87 in Rapid City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $420 in Pembroke Pines vs $348 in Rapid City. 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 107 in Rapid City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-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 $70,900 in Rapid City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,387 and $72,347 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 $1,654/month in Rapid City. In Pembroke Pines, median rent of $1,900/mo fits within this budget. In Rapid City, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 49 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Rapid City is 13.3% more affordable overall with an index of 98 vs 111.
A $75,000 salary in Pembroke Pines has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $66,216 in Rapid City, based on the cost of living difference.
Pembroke Pines's housing index is 140 with median homes at $440,000, while Rapid City's is 91 with median homes at $325,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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