Pembroke Pines FL vs Waco TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Pembroke Pines, FL
Florida · Population: 170,557
- Median HH Income$81,675
- Median Home Price$488,550
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pembroke Pines
170,557
Pembroke Pines +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pembroke Pines
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Pembroke Pines
43.7
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Pembroke Pines
39.5%
Pembroke Pines +
Waco
9.8%
White
Pembroke Pines
43.9%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Pembroke Pines
21.2%
Pembroke Pines +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Pembroke Pines
5.0%
Pembroke Pines +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Pembroke Pines
47.8%
Pembroke Pines +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Pembroke Pines
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Pembroke Pines, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,557 | 141,925 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 39.5% | 9.8% | Pembroke Pines + |
| White | 43.9% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 21.2% | 20.4% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 2.0% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Hispanic | 47.8% | 29.9% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pembroke Pines
$81,675
Pembroke Pines +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Pembroke Pines
$39,881
Pembroke Pines +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pembroke Pines
$65,328
Pembroke Pines +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Pembroke Pines
4.2%
Pembroke Pines +
Waco
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Pembroke Pines
10.2%
Pembroke Pines +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pembroke Pines
38.1%
Pembroke Pines +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Pembroke Pines, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,675 | $51,468 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,881 | $28,819 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $63,758 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.4% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.2% | 24.0% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.1% | 28.6% | Pembroke Pines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pembroke Pines
$488,550
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Pembroke Pines
70.8%
Pembroke Pines +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Pembroke Pines, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $488,550 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 70.8% | 48.9% | Pembroke Pines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pembroke Pines
324
Pembroke Pines +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pembroke Pines
1453
Pembroke Pines +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Pembroke Pines, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 442 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2339 | Pembroke Pines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pembroke Pines
29.0%
Pembroke Pines +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pembroke Pines
13.4%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pembroke Pines
14.5%
Pembroke Pines +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pembroke Pines
17.3%
Pembroke Pines +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pembroke Pines
14.0%
Pembroke Pines +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pembroke Pines
9.7%
Pembroke Pines +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Pembroke Pines, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.0% | 36.8% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 20.4% | Pembroke Pines + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 20.4% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.2% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 15.1% | Pembroke Pines + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pembroke Pines
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pembroke Pines
N/A
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Pembroke Pines, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pembroke Pines
7.2 µg/m³
Pembroke Pines +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pembroke Pines
75.0%
Pembroke Pines +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Pembroke Pines, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Pembroke Pines + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Pembroke Pines + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pembroke Pines
33.2 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Pembroke Pines, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.2 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pembroke Pines leads in median household income at $81,675, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Pembroke Pines is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. 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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