Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fort Lauderdale, FL
VS
Pembroke Pines, FL
🏆 Fort Lauderdale leads 9 of 17 categories
Fort Lauderdale
Florida
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$75,376
Violent Crime Index
—
Population
182,673 ✓ Larger
Pembroke Pines
Florida
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$77,657 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
—
Population
170,472
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pros
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Rent averages $160/mo less ($1,627 vs $1,787)
More college-educated — 40.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.8)
Higher unemployment (5.4% vs 4.7%)
Pricier housing — median home is $417,600
Pembroke Pines, FL
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.7 pts lower (4.7%)
Homes cost $38k less ($379,900 vs $417,600)
Cons
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.8)
Higher rents — median is $1,787/mo
Longer commutes — 30.6 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Both cities
Cost of Living
≈ Equal
Both near 111.8 on the COL index
Pembroke Pines
Median Income
$2,281
$77,657 vs $75,376/yr
Pembroke Pines
Median Home Value
$38k less
$379,900 vs $417,600
Pembroke Pines
Unemployment
0.7 pp lower
4.7% vs 5.4% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Pembroke Pines, FL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.8⚠ High | 111.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $417,600⚠ High | $379,900⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,627⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,787⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $75,376 | $77,657 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4%⚠ High | 4.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.3 min ✓ Shorter | 30.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 14.0% ✓ Higher | 10.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | — | — |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | — | — |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | — | — |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (98) ✓ Better | B- (95) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.7:1 | 21.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 40.3% ✓ Higher | 36.1% |
| High School or Higher | 89.6% | 93.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | BROWARD | BROWARD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 76.6°F | 76.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 90.5°F | 91.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 63.0" ✓ Drier | 67.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 182,673 ✓ Larger | 170,472 |
| Median Age | 43.2 ✓ Older | 42.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 71.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 16.9% | 20.2% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 19.3% ✓ More | 18.9% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fort Lauderdale's cost of living index is 111.8 vs Pembroke Pines's 111.8 (US average = 100).
Both have a similar overall cost of living.
Based on the 17 decided categories above, Fort Lauderdale leads 9 of 17 categories. Fort Lauderdale wins 9 and Pembroke Pines wins 8. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Fort Lauderdale to Pembroke Pines or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($417,600 vs $379,900 median home), income ($75,376 vs $77,657), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fort Lauderdale, FL and Pembroke Pines, FL are about 15 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.