Pembroke Pines vs Wilmington
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Pembroke Pines
Wilmington
The Verdict
Wilmington is 7.8% less expensive than Pembroke Pines overall. A household earning $75,000 in Pembroke Pines would need approximately $69,595 in Wilmington to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Pembroke Pines has the same purchasing power as $69,595 in Wilmington.
Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $80,825 in Pembroke Pines.
Living in Pembroke Pines vs Wilmington
Housing Costs
Pembroke Pines's housing index of 140 is higher Wilmington's 108, translating to median home prices of $440,000 vs $320,000. The $120,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,800 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,900/mo in Pembroke Pines compared to $1,400/mo in Wilmington, a monthly difference of $500.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 105 in Pembroke Pines and 101 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Pembroke Pines vs $480/month in Wilmington. 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 Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $420 in Pembroke Pines vs $376 in Wilmington. 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 106 in Wilmington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-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 $48,432 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,387 and $47,021 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 $1,130/month in Wilmington. In Pembroke Pines, median rent of $1,900/mo fits within this budget. In Wilmington, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 32 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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