Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lancaster, CA
VS
Pembroke Pines, FL
🏆 Pembroke Pines leads 13 of 19 categories
Lancaster
California
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$71,367
Violent Crime Index
220⚠ High
Population
171,465 ✓ Larger
Pembroke Pines
Florida
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
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.
Lancaster, CA
Pros
Rent averages $211/mo less ($1,576 vs $1,787)
Cons
Violent crime (834.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Higher unemployment (7.5% vs 4.7%)
Median income trails Pembroke Pines by $6,290/yr
Pembroke Pines, FL
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.8 pts lower (4.7%)
More college-educated — 36.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 77°F vs 59°F
Households earn $6,290 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 92°F vs 98°F
4% cheaper overall cost of living than Lancaster
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,787/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.8)
Key Differences at a Glance
Lancaster
Median Home Value
$11k less
$368,800 vs $379,900
Lancaster
Summer Heat
5.9°F warmer
July avg high 97.6°F vs 91.7°F
Pembroke Pines
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 111.8 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Pembroke Pines
Median Income
$6,290
$77,657 vs $71,367/yr
Pembroke Pines
Unemployment
2.8 pp lower
4.7% vs 7.5% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Pembroke Pines, FL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 115.5⚠ High | 111.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $368,800⚠ High ✓ Lower | $379,900⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,576⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,787⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $71,367 | $77,657 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.5%⚠ High | 4.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 30.9 min⚠ High | 30.6 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 8.6% | 10.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 168⚠ High | — |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 220⚠ High | — |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 91 | — |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (63) | B- (95) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 22.6:1 | 21.7:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.4% | 36.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.2% | 93.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lancaster Elementary | BROWARD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.7°F | 76.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 97.6°F ✓ Warmer | 91.7°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 6.8" ✓ Drier | 67.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 171,465 ✓ Larger | 170,472 |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 42.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 71.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 27.8% ✓ More | 20.2% |
| Over 65 | 11.2% | 18.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lancaster's cost of living index is 115.5 vs Pembroke Pines's 111.8 (US average = 100).
Pembroke Pines is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 19 decided categories above, Pembroke Pines leads 13 of 19 categories. Lancaster wins 6 and Pembroke Pines wins 13. 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 Lancaster to Pembroke Pines or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($368,800 vs $379,900 median home), income ($71,367 vs $77,657), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lancaster, CA and Pembroke Pines, FL are about 2,319 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.