Gainesville FL 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Pembroke Pines
170,557
Pembroke Pines +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Pembroke Pines
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Pembroke Pines
43.7
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Pembroke Pines
39.5%
Pembroke Pines +
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Pembroke Pines
43.9%
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Pembroke Pines
21.2%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Pembroke Pines
5.0%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Pembroke Pines
47.8%
Pembroke Pines +
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Pembroke Pines
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 170,557 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 43.7 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 39.5% | Pembroke Pines + |
| White | 59.2% | 43.9% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 21.6% | 21.2% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 5.0% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 47.8% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Pembroke Pines
$81,675
Pembroke Pines +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Pembroke Pines
$39,881
Pembroke Pines +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Pembroke Pines
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Pembroke Pines
4.2%
Pembroke Pines +
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Pembroke Pines
10.2%
Pembroke Pines +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Pembroke Pines
38.1%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $81,675 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $39,881 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.2% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 10.2% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 38.1% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Pembroke Pines
$488,550
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Pembroke Pines
70.8%
Pembroke Pines +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $488,550 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 70.8% | Pembroke Pines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Pembroke Pines
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Pembroke Pines
1453
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 324 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1453 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Pembroke Pines
29.0%
Pembroke Pines +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Pembroke Pines
13.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Pembroke Pines
14.5%
Pembroke Pines +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Gainesville +
Pembroke Pines
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Pembroke Pines
14.0%
Pembroke Pines +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Pembroke Pines
9.7%
Pembroke Pines +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 29.0% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 13.4% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 14.5% | Pembroke Pines + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 17.3% | Gainesville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 14.0% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.7% | Pembroke Pines + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Pembroke Pines
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Pembroke Pines
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Pembroke Pines
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Pembroke Pines
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Pembroke Pines
33.2 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 33.2 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pembroke Pines leads in median household income at $81,675, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Pembroke Pines is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Gainesville. 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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