City Comparison
Clearwater vs Pembroke Pines
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Pembroke Pines scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Clearwater
Pembroke Pines
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Clearwater is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
19% lower than in Pembroke Pines.
Housing costs are a major driver: Clearwater's average rent is
22% lower than Pembroke Pines's.
| Metric | Clearwater | Pembroke Pines | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $2,250 | -22% |
| Groceries | $420 | $480 | -13% |
| Utilities | $175 | $195 | -10% |
| Transport | $115 | $130 | -12% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $270 | -11% |
| Monthly Total | $2,700 | $3,325 | -19% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 118 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Pembroke Pines offers 7% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Clearwater delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Clearwater is estimated at
$54,000 vs $62,000 in Pembroke Pines.
| Metric | Clearwater | Pembroke Pines |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $63,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $54,000 | $62,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,765 idx | 57,627 idx |
| Household Income | $65,400 | $84,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 3.2°F of each other.
For sunshine, Clearwater comes out ahead with 34 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
| Metric | Clearwater | Pembroke Pines |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 73.40°F | 76.60°F |
| Summer High | 88.90°F | 89.80°F |
| Winter Low | 54.10°F | 62.10°F |
| Rainfall | 42.30 in | 57.30 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 231 | 197 |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 72.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Clearwater has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Pembroke Pines.
Clearwater scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Clearwater leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Clearwater | Pembroke Pines |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 32 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 58.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Pembroke Pines is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Clearwater.
From a growth perspective, Clearwater is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Pembroke Pines has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Clearwater | Pembroke Pines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,292 | 171,178 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 44.0 | 41.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Clearwater
Advantages
Home to Clearwater Beach, consistently ranked among the top beaches in the United States by TripAdvisor.
Abundant sunshine averaging 231 sunny days per year with warm winters averaging a low of 54.1°F.
World-class healthcare access anchored by Morton Plant Hospital and the extensive BayCare Health System.
No state personal income tax in Florida, providing financial relief for residents and retirees.
Vibrant outdoor lifestyle with extensive opportunities for boating, fishing, and park recreation.
Drawbacks
High homeowners insurance rates and vulnerability to tropical storms and hurricanes along the coast.
Significant seasonal traffic congestion, particularly along routes leading to Clearwater Beach.
Higher-than-average housing and rental costs driven by strong coastal real estate demand.
High reliance on automobile transportation with limited heavy rail public transit options.
Summer heat and humidity can be intense during peak months from June through September.
Pembroke Pines
Advantages
Consistently ranks among the safest large cities in the state of Florida per official crime data.
Features the renowned Pembroke Pines Charter School system, offering high-performing public education options.
Boasts an extensive municipal park system with athletic fields, walking trails, and aquatic centers.
Centrally located in Broward County with convenient access to both I-75 and Florida's Turnpike.
Home to major healthcare facilities like Memorial Hospital West, ensuring top-tier medical access.
Drawbacks
Cost of living and housing prices are notably higher than the national average.
High level of car dependency with limited public mass transit options beyond local buses.
Prone to heavy commuter traffic congestion along major corridors like Pines Boulevard during peak hours.
Elevated homeowner's and property insurance rates typical of the South Florida region.
Hot and humid summer climate can limit comfortable outdoor activities during midday hours.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Clearwater
#350Florida, USA
59.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$63,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
231/yr
Avg Temp
73.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
76
Business
70
Pembroke Pines
#323Florida, USA
60.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,250
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
197/yr
Avg Temp
76.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
82
Business
74
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