Pembroke Pines vs Winston-Salem: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Pembroke Pines, Florida compare to Winston-Salem, North Carolina? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Winston-Salem is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 103% higher in Pembroke Pines compared to Winston-Salem, while rent is 87% higher. FL has no state income tax.
| Metric | Pembroke Pines, FL | Winston-Salem, NC | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $379,900 | $187,400 | +102.7% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,787 | $956 | +86.9% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $77,657 | $54,416 | +42.7% |
| Per Capita Income | $37,673 | $33,279 | +13.2% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | None | 4.5% | -100.0% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 7.0% | 7.0% | same |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 170,472 | 249,571 | -31.7% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Pembroke Pines
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Winston-Salem
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Pembroke Pines costs $379,900 compared to $187,400 in Winston-Salem — a 103% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,787/mo in Pembroke Pines vs $956/mo in Winston-Salem.
- Income: Median household income is $77,657 in Pembroke Pines and $54,416 in Winston-Salem.
- Taxes: Florida has no state income tax, while North Carolina has a 4.5% rate.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).