City Comparison

Pembroke Pines vs Winston-Salem

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Pembroke Pines

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

Winston-Salem

North Carolina
84
Very Affordable
$250,000
Median Home
$1,050/mo
Median Rent
$52,600
Median Income

The Verdict

32.1%

Winston-Salem is 32.1% less expensive than Pembroke Pines overall. A household earning $75,000 in Pembroke Pines would need approximately $56,757 in Winston-Salem to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
140
Pembroke Pines
63
Winston-Salem
Groceries
105
Pembroke Pines
97
Winston-Salem
Utilities
105
Pembroke Pines
99
Winston-Salem
Transportation
99
Pembroke Pines
94
Winston-Salem
Healthcare
91
Pembroke Pines
103
Winston-Salem

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Pembroke Pines has the same purchasing power as $56,757 in Winston-Salem.

Conversely, $75,000 in Winston-Salem equals $99,107 in Pembroke Pines.

Living in Pembroke Pines vs Winston-Salem

Housing Costs

Pembroke Pines's housing index of 140 is higher Winston-Salem's 63, translating to median home prices of $440,000 vs $250,000. The $190,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,348 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,900/mo in Pembroke Pines compared to $1,050/mo in Winston-Salem, a monthly difference of $850.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 105 in Pembroke Pines and 97 in Winston-Salem. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Pembroke Pines vs $461/month in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem 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 99 in Winston-Salem. Monthly utility bills average approximately $420 in Pembroke Pines vs $396 in Winston-Salem. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 91 in Pembroke Pines and 103 in Winston-Salem. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-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 $52,600 in Winston-Salem. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,387 and $62,619 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 $1,227/month in Winston-Salem. In Pembroke Pines, median rent of $1,900/mo fits within this budget. In Winston-Salem, median rent of $1,050/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 77 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Winston-Salem is 32.1% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 111.
A $75,000 salary in Pembroke Pines has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $56,757 in Winston-Salem, based on the cost of living difference.
Pembroke Pines's housing index is 140 with median homes at $440,000, while Winston-Salem's is 63 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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