CostIndexUSA

Pembroke Pines, FL vs Santa Cruz, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

FL
Pembroke Pines
114.2
overall index
$2,650/mo rent
More AffordableCA
Santa Cruz
109.9
overall index
$3,425/mo rent

Santa Cruz is slightly cheaper than Pembroke Pines — 3.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Pembroke Pines, you would need $77,000 in Santa Cruz. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+5.6%
Pembroke Pines
155.6
Santa Cruz
164.3
🛒 Groceries+1.5%
Pembroke Pines
103.6
Santa Cruz
105.2
🚗 Transportation8.1%
Pembroke Pines
114.6
Santa Cruz
105.3
🏥 Healthcare8.1%
Pembroke Pines
103.7
Santa Cruz
95.3
Utilities+57.1%
Pembroke Pines
97.2
Santa Cruz
152.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Pembroke Pines to see what you'd need to earn in Santa Cruz to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Cruz, CA
$77,000
$3,000 less needed in Santa Cruz

Formula: salary × (109.9 ÷ 114.2) = salary × 0.9623. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Pembroke Pines, FL

Median Home Price
$467,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,650
Housing Index
155.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.7×

Santa Cruz, CA

Median Home Price
$1,091,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,425
Housing Index
164.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.5×

Santa Cruz has 5.6% higher housing costs compared to Pembroke Pines.

Income & Job Market

Pembroke Pines, FL

Median Household Income
$76,300
Per Capita Income
$43,500
Unemployment Rate
4.1%
Population
173,591
Top Industries
HealthcareRetailEducationFinanceGovernment

Santa Cruz, CA

Median Household Income
$105,600
Per Capita Income
$60,200
Unemployment Rate
5.8%
Population
64,725
Top Industries
EducationTechnologyTourismAgricultureHealthcare

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Pembroke Pines, FL
2.4×income-to-rent ratio

58% of income left after rent (median)

Santa Cruz, CA
2.6×income-to-rent ratio

61% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.