City Comparison
West Palm Beach 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
West Palm Beach
Pembroke Pines
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
West Palm Beach is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Pembroke Pines.
| Metric | West Palm Beach | Pembroke Pines | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,150 | $2,250 | -4% |
| Groceries | $480 | $480 | 0% |
| Utilities | $195 | $195 | 0% |
| Transport | $135 | $130 | +4% |
| Healthcare | $270 | $270 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,230 | $3,325 | -3% |
| Cost Index | 115 | 118 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
West Palm Beach offers 9% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, West Palm Beach delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in West Palm Beach is estimated at
$65,000 vs $62,000 in Pembroke Pines.
| Metric | West Palm Beach | Pembroke Pines |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $74,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $62,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,348 idx | 57,627 idx |
| Household Income | $76,500 | $84,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
For sunshine, Pembroke Pines comes out ahead with 14 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
| Metric | West Palm Beach | Pembroke Pines |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 76.60°F | 76.60°F |
| Summer High | 88.90°F | 89.80°F |
| Winter Low | 64.00°F | 62.10°F |
| Rainfall | 53.50 in | 57.30 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 183 | 197 |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 72.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
West Palm Beach has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Pembroke Pines.
West Palm Beach scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, West Palm Beach leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | West Palm Beach | Pembroke Pines |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 32 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 54.00 | 58.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Pembroke Pines is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of West Palm Beach.
From a growth perspective, West Palm Beach 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 | West Palm Beach | Pembroke Pines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,824 | 171,178 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 41.0 | 41.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
West Palm Beach
Advantages
No state income tax in Florida, providing significant tax relief for residents and businesses.
Rapidly expanding financial and tech sectors ('Wall Street South') creating high-paying career opportunities.
Vibrant downtown waterfront dining, shopping, and cultural venues like the Norton Museum of Art.
Exceptional year-round warm weather with access to pristine Atlantic beaches and outdoor recreation.
Connected transit options via Brightline high-speed rail linking directly to Miami and Orlando.
Drawbacks
Rising cost of living and housing prices driven by high demand and population influx.
High homeowners and property insurance costs due to regional weather risks.
Significant traffic congestion along major regional corridors during peak commuting hours.
High humidity and intense heat during summer months limiting midday outdoor activity.
Competitive rental market making affordable housing difficult to secure for mid-income workers.
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.
West Palm Beach
#434Florida, USA
56.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,150
Avg Salary
$74,000
Cost Index
115
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
183/yr
Avg Temp
76.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
76
Business
78
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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