City Comparison

Pembroke Pines vs San Diego

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Pembroke Pines

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

San Diego

California
160
Very Expensive
$800,000
Median Home
$2,500/mo
Median Rent
$79,646
Median Income

The Verdict

30.6%

Living in Pembroke Pines costs 30.6% less than San Diego. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Pembroke Pines, you would need $108,108 in San Diego.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
140
Pembroke Pines
248
San Diego
Groceries
105
Pembroke Pines
107
San Diego
Utilities
105
Pembroke Pines
111
San Diego
Transportation
99
Pembroke Pines
114
San Diego
Healthcare
91
Pembroke Pines
107
San Diego

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Pembroke Pines has the same purchasing power as $108,108 in San Diego.

Conversely, $75,000 in San Diego equals $52,031 in Pembroke Pines.

Living in Pembroke Pines vs San Diego

Housing Costs

Pembroke Pines's housing index of 140 is lower San Diego's 248, translating to median home prices of $440,000 vs $800,000. The $360,000 difference in home prices means roughly $23,400 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,900/mo in Pembroke Pines compared to $2,500/mo in San Diego, a monthly difference of $600.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 105 in Pembroke Pines and 107 in San Diego. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Pembroke Pines vs $508/month in San Diego. 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 111 in San Diego. Monthly utility bills average approximately $420 in Pembroke Pines vs $444 in San Diego. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 91 in Pembroke Pines and 107 in San Diego. 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 $79,646 in San Diego. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,387 and $49,779 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 $1,858/month in San Diego. In Pembroke Pines, median rent of $1,900/mo fits within this budget. In San Diego, median rent of $2,500/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 108 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pembroke Pines is 30.6% more affordable overall with an index of 111 vs 160.
A $75,000 salary in Pembroke Pines has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $108,108 in San Diego, based on the cost of living difference.
Pembroke Pines's housing index is 140 with median homes at $440,000, while San Diego's is 248 with median homes at $800,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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