Charlotte NC vs Hialeah 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%
Hialeah, FL
Florida · Population: 221,901
- Median HH Income$53,079
- Median Home Price$444,086
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+21.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Hialeah
221,901
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Hialeah
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Hialeah
45.9
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Hialeah
74.7%
Hialeah +
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Charlotte +
Hialeah
32.4%
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Hialeah
1.3%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Hialeah
0.6%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Hialeah
95.2%
Hialeah +
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Hialeah
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 221,901 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 45.9 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 74.7% | Hialeah + |
| White | 41.5% | 32.4% | Charlotte + |
| Black | 34.1% | 1.3% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 0.6% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 95.2% | Hialeah + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Hialeah
$53,079
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Hialeah
$25,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Hialeah
$65,328
Hialeah +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Hialeah
3.7%
Hialeah +
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Hialeah
17.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Hialeah
21.2%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $53,079 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $25,766 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $65,328 | Hialeah + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 3.7% | Hialeah + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 17.5% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 21.2% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Charlotte +
Hialeah
$444,086
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Charlotte +
Hialeah
47.1%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $444,086 | Charlotte + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 47.1% | Charlotte + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Hialeah
324
Hialeah +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Hialeah
1453
Hialeah +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Hialeah + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Hialeah + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Hialeah
30.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Hialeah
19.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Hialeah
14.2%
Hialeah +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Hialeah
34.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Hialeah
13.4%
Hialeah +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Hialeah
12.1%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 30.9% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 19.1% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 14.2% | Hialeah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 34.7% | Charlotte + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 13.4% | Hialeah + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.1% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Charlotte +
Hialeah
76.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Charlotte +
Hialeah
70.4 in
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 76.0°F | Charlotte + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 70.4 in | Charlotte + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Hialeah
7.2 µg/m³
Hialeah +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Hialeah
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Hialeah + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Charlotte +
Hialeah
31.7 min
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 31.7 min | Charlotte + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, while charlotte offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,070. On public safety, Hialeah is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charlotte. Hialeah has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Hialeah has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
Compare More Cities
Charlotte, NC vs New York, NYCharlotte, NC vs Los Angeles, CACharlotte, NC vs Chicago, ILCharlotte, NC vs Houston, TXCharlotte, NC vs Phoenix, AZCharlotte, NC vs Philadelphia, PA