CICostIndexUSA

Pembroke Pines, FL vs Waterloo, IA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

FL
Pembroke Pines
114.2
overall index
$2,675/mo rent
More AffordableIA
Waterloo
87.1
overall index
$1,000/mo rent

Waterloo is significantly cheaper than Pembroke Pines — 23.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Pembroke Pines, you would need $61,000 in Waterloo. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing59.4%
Pembroke Pines
155.6
Waterloo
63.1
🛒 Groceries9.6%
Pembroke Pines
103.6
Waterloo
93.7
🚗 Transportation14.8%
Pembroke Pines
114.6
Waterloo
97.6
🏥 Healthcare14.9%
Pembroke Pines
103.7
Waterloo
88.3
Utilities13.9%
Pembroke Pines
97.2
Waterloo
83.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Waterloo, IA
$61,000
$19,000 less needed in Waterloo

Formula: salary × (87.1 ÷ 114.2) = salary × 0.7627. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Pembroke Pines, FL

Median Home Price
$478,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,675
Housing Index
155.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.9×

Waterloo, IA

Median Home Price
$202,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,000
Housing Index
63.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.8×

Pembroke Pines has 59.4% lower housing costs compared to Waterloo.

Income & Job Market

Pembroke Pines, FL

Median Household Income
$80,600
Per Capita Income
$45,900
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
Population
173,591
Top Industries
HealthcareRetailEducationFinanceGovernment

Waterloo, IA

Median Household Income
$72,400
Per Capita Income
$41,300
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
67,470
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareAgricultureRetailEducation

Affordability at a Glance

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

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

60% of income left after rent (median)

Waterloo, IA
6.0×income-to-rent ratio

83% 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.