The invention relates to a cushioning rubber composition and pneumatic tire employing the same. The cushioning rubber composition contains 5 to 20 parts by mass of first carbon black having an iodine adsorption number of 50 to 70 mg/g and a dibutyl phthalate oil absorption of 130 to 150 ml/100 g and 15 to 30 parts by mass of second carbon black having an iodine adsorption number of 110 to 130 mg/g and a dibutyl phthalate oil absorption of 105 to 120 ml/100 g as well as sulfur and a vulcanization accelerator with respect to 100 parts by mass of a rubber component, while the mass ratio of sulfur to the vulcanization accelerator is 1.0 to 2.3.