CostIndexUSA

Merced, CA vs Pembroke Pines, FL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableCA
Merced
98.3
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
FL
Pembroke Pines
114.2
overall index
$2,650/mo rent

Merced is significantly cheaper than Pembroke Pines — 16.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Merced, you would need $92,900 in Pembroke Pines. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+98.0%
Merced
78.6
Pembroke Pines
155.6
🛒 Groceries1.5%
Merced
105.2
Pembroke Pines
103.6
🚗 Transportation+8.8%
Merced
105.3
Pembroke Pines
114.6
🏥 Healthcare+8.8%
Merced
95.3
Pembroke Pines
103.7
Utilities38.6%
Merced
158.3
Pembroke Pines
97.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Pembroke Pines, FL
$92,900
$12,900 more needed in Pembroke Pines

Formula: salary × (114.2 ÷ 98.3) = salary × 1.1617. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Merced, CA

Median Home Price
$410,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
78.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Pembroke Pines, FL

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

Pembroke Pines has 98.0% higher housing costs compared to Merced.

Income & Job Market

Merced, CA

Median Household Income
$57,600
Per Capita Income
$32,800
Unemployment Rate
9.2%
Population
86,333
Top Industries
AgricultureEducationHealthcareGovernmentLogistics

Pembroke Pines, FL

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

Affordability at a Glance

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

Merced, CA
2.6×income-to-rent ratio

61% of income left after rent (median)

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

58% 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.