Pinecrest is a small village in southern Miami-Dade known for three things: large homes on tree-filled lots, highly rated public schools and historic gardens that were once Miami's first big tourist attraction. It's one of the most expensive places in the county to buy, and almost everyone who lives here owns their home. Here's what living in Pinecrest is like and, with official data, what it costs, how its schools rate and what to know about flooding.
What is Pinecrest like in numbers?
Pinecrest is an independent municipality, the Village of Pinecrest, so we use its official Census boundaries. Figures are from the Census Bureau (American Community Survey, 2020-2024 average) unless noted otherwise.
| Indicator | Pinecrest | Miami-Dade |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 18,462 | 2,738,356 |
| Residents per km² of land | 958 | 557 |
| Median gross rent per month | $1,946 | $1,829 |
| Median value of owner-occupied homes | $1,406,400 | $463,000 |
| Median household income | $206,417 | $71,753 |
| Owner-occupied households | 82.8% | 52.2% |
| Adults with a college degree | 72.4% | 34.4% |
| Foreign-born | 30.4% | 54.5% |
| Speak Spanish at home | 47.8% | 66.7% |
| Under 18 | 28.3% | 20.0% |
| People per household | 3.03 | 2.76 |
| Average commute | 27.6 min | 30.9 min |
| Households without a car | 2.0% | 9.8% |
| Single-family homes | 79.3% | 48.7% |
| Median year built | 1969 | 1980 |
| Land in a high-risk flood zone (FEMA) | 33.1% | 33.8% in the City of Miami |
These are five-year medians: current listings are usually higher. Because few homes in Pinecrest are rented, the median rent reflects a small number of units and should be read with caution. We explain each figure in the method note.
What is it like to live in Pinecrest?
In the early 1900s, Henry Flagler used this land as a staging area for building the Overseas Railroad to the Keys. In 1936, Franz and Louise Scherr opened Parrot Jungle here, one of Miami's first big tourist attractions. For decades the area was residential with no local government of its own, until residents voted to create the Village of Pinecrest, incorporated on March 12, 1996.
Today it's a quiet village of single-family homes, eight in ten housing units, on large lots with big trees and pools. There are few tall buildings and almost no nightlife: life revolves around schools, parks and kids' activities. More than half of households earn over $200,000 a year.
It's a bilingual community: almost half of residents speak Spanish at home, and one in five is of Cuban origin. English carries more weight here than in Doral or Hialeah, but day to day you'll get by in either language.
What is there to do in Pinecrest?
- Pinecrest Gardens, on the former Parrot Jungle grounds, is the village's main park: about 14 acres with more than 1,000 varieties of tropical plants, a lake, a children's water playground, a petting zoo and the Banyan Bowl, an open-air amphitheater for concerts and theater. It has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 2011.
- The farmers market at Pinecrest Gardens runs on Sunday mornings, year-round.
- Neighborhood parks: Evelyn Greer Park, Coral Pine Park, with tennis courts, and Suniland Park, with baseball and football fields.
- For shopping, Dadeland Mall, one of the county's big malls, is a few minutes away in Kendall.
How much does it cost to live in Pinecrest?
Pinecrest is mostly single-family homes from the 1950s to the 1970s, many renovated or rebuilt, on large lots. There are few apartments.
- Buying: the median value is $1,406,400, three times the county median. Because many homes are older, check the roof, hurricane windows and electrical system, since they affect insurance. We explain it in our guide to buying property in Miami.
- Renting: only 17% of households rent, so supply is limited and usually means whole houses, at high prices. If you have no credit history, read how to rent in Miami without a credit history.
Current price: According to Zillow, in September 2026 the typical value of a house in Pinecrest was $2,492,000 (+7.5% over a year) and of a condo, $287,000 (−4.3%). We compare it with other areas, along with rent and flood insurance, in Miami home prices by area, updated every month. Work out what it would cost you to live here →
How good are the schools in Pinecrest?
Pinecrest has 4 public schools graded by the Florida Department of Education, from elementary to high school, and in 2026 all of them earned an A:
| School | Grades | 2026 grade |
|---|---|---|
| Pinecrest Elementary | Pre-K to 5 | A |
| Palmetto Elementary | Pre-K to 5 | A |
| Palmetto Middle | 6 to 8 | A |
| Miami Palmetto Senior High | 9 to 12 | A |
According to the county's records, there are also 11 private schools, including Gulliver Preparatory and several religious schools. There are no charter schools inside the village.
How do you get around Pinecrest?
- Car: nearly essential; only 2% of households don't have one. US-1 (South Dixie Highway) forms the village's western edge and leads to Dadeland, Coral Gables and downtown. The average commute is 27.6 minutes.
- Pinecrest People Mover: the village bus is free, with three routes and special service for middle and high school students. Some stops connect with Metrobus.
- Metrorail: there are no stations inside the village; the nearest are the Dadeland stations in Kendall.
Is Pinecrest safe?
According to the FBI, the Pinecrest police recorded 95 violent crimes and 1,759 property crimes per 100,000 residents in 2024. The U.S. averages that year were 363 and 1,766. Violent crime is 74% below the national average.
We use 2024, the latest year with all 12 months reported to the FBI.
Within each area, risk changes from one street to the next: visit by day and by night before deciding. Compare it with other areas in Miami crime rates by area.
Does Pinecrest flood?
- Flood zone: according to FEMA's current map, 33.1% of the land is in a high-risk zone, almost all of it zone AE (30.3%) and the rest zone AH, shallow ponding.
- Hurricane evacuation: 83% of the land is in storm surge zone C and 16% in zone D. Only 1% is in zone A.
Risk changes a lot from street to street, especially near canals. Before buying, look up the exact address on the FEMA flood map and ask for the flood disclosure required by Florida law. We explain how to insure yourself in our guide to home and flood insurance in Miami.
What are the pros and cons of Pinecrest?
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Every public school rated A | Among the most expensive homes in the county |
| Green, quiet streets and houses with yards | Few rentals |
| Pinecrest Gardens and good parks | No Metrorail inside the village: you need a car |
| Free local bus | Almost no nightlife |
| Close to Dadeland, Coral Gables and downtown | A third of the land in a high-risk flood zone |
Who is Pinecrest right for?
A good fit if: you have children and public schools are your priority, you want a house with a yard and peace and quiet, your budget is high, and you work in Coral Gables, Dadeland, Brickell or downtown.
Maybe not for you if: you're looking for an affordable rental, want to live without a car, prefer an urban, walkable setting with restaurants and nightlife, or want the beach.
Similar neighborhoods: if you want A-rated schools at a more moderate price, read our guide to Kendall; if you prefer a livelier city with Mediterranean architecture, the one on Coral Gables; and if you want greenery by the bay, the one on Coconut Grove.
Curious about Miami's most exclusive side? Read how many millionaires live in Miami, with the data and its caveats.
Want to compare them all? Read our guide to Miami neighborhoods: where to live based on what you want.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pinecrest part of Miami?
No. It's an independent municipality, the Village of Pinecrest, incorporated in 1996 in Miami-Dade County, southwest of Coral Gables.
Are Pinecrest schools good?
All four graded public schools inside the village earned an A in 2026, from elementary to high school. Always check the school assigned to your exact address.
How much does a house in Pinecrest cost?
The median value of owner-occupied homes is $1,406,400 according to the Census (2020-2024), three times the county median. Current sale prices are usually higher.
Is there public transit in Pinecrest?
The village has a free bus, the Pinecrest People Mover, with three routes and connections to Metrobus. There are no Metrorail stations inside: the nearest are at Dadeland.
Does Pinecrest flood?
33.1% of the land is in a high-risk zone according to FEMA, mostly zone AE, and the risk changes a lot from street to street. Always check the exact address.
Method note
We use the official Census boundaries of the Village of Pinecrest. Population, housing, income, language, origin and transportation figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2020-2024 five-year average). Density is our own calculation, based on land area. We calculated the share of land in flood and evacuation zones by overlaying that boundary on FEMA's current flood map and the storm surge planning zones published by Miami-Dade County, based on land area. Schools are located using the county's open data, and grades are the Florida Department of Education's official 2026 grades.
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020-2024)
- Florida Department of Education: 2026 school grades
- Miami-Dade County Open Data: FEMA flood zones, storm surge planning zones and schools
- FEMA: Flood Map Service Center
- Village of Pinecrest: History
- Village of Pinecrest: Pinecrest People Mover
- Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau: Pinecrest Gardens
- Pinecrest Gardens: Farmers market