Charlotte NC vs Pembroke Pines FL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Pembroke Pines, FL
Florida · Population: 170,557
- Median HH Income$81,675
- Median Home Price$488,550
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Pembroke Pines
170,557
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Pembroke Pines
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Pembroke Pines
43.7
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Pembroke Pines
39.5%
Pembroke Pines +
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Pembroke Pines
43.9%
Pembroke Pines +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Pembroke Pines
21.2%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Pembroke Pines
5.0%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Pembroke Pines
47.8%
Pembroke Pines +
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Pembroke Pines
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 170,557 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 43.7 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 39.5% | Pembroke Pines + |
| White | 41.5% | 43.9% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Black | 34.1% | 21.2% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 5.0% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 47.8% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Pembroke Pines
$81,675
Pembroke Pines +
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Pembroke Pines
$39,881
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Pembroke Pines
$65,328
Pembroke Pines +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Pembroke Pines
4.2%
Pembroke Pines +
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Pembroke Pines
10.2%
Pembroke Pines +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Pembroke Pines
38.1%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $81,675 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $39,881 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $65,328 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.2% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 10.2% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 38.1% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Charlotte +
Pembroke Pines
$488,550
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Pembroke Pines
70.8%
Pembroke Pines +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $488,550 | Charlotte + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 70.8% | Pembroke Pines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Pembroke Pines
324
Pembroke Pines +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Pembroke Pines
1453
Pembroke Pines +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Pembroke Pines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Pembroke Pines
29.0%
Pembroke Pines +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Pembroke Pines
13.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Pembroke Pines
14.5%
Pembroke Pines +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Pembroke Pines
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Pembroke Pines
14.0%
Pembroke Pines +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Pembroke Pines
9.7%
Pembroke Pines +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 29.0% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 13.4% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 14.5% | Pembroke Pines + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 17.3% | Charlotte + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 14.0% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.7% | Pembroke Pines + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Pembroke Pines
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Pembroke Pines
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Pembroke Pines
7.2 µg/m³
Pembroke Pines +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Pembroke Pines
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Pembroke Pines + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Charlotte +
Pembroke Pines
33.2 min
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 33.2 min | Charlotte + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pembroke Pines leads in median household income at $81,675, while charlotte offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,070. On public safety, Pembroke Pines is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charlotte. Pembroke Pines has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Pembroke Pines has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pembroke Pines scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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