Fort Lauderdale FL 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)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
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
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Hialeah
221,901
Hialeah +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Hialeah
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Fort Lauderdale +
Hialeah
45.9
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Hialeah
74.7%
Hialeah +
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Hialeah
32.4%
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Hialeah
1.3%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Fort Lauderdale +
Hialeah
0.6%
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Hialeah
95.2%
Hialeah +
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Hialeah
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 221,901 | Hialeah + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 45.9 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 74.7% | Hialeah + |
| White | 51.3% | 32.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Black | 28.8% | 1.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 0.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 95.2% | Hialeah + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Hialeah
$53,079
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Hialeah
$25,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Hialeah
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Hialeah
3.7%
Hialeah +
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Hialeah
17.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Hialeah
21.2%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $53,079 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $25,766 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 3.7% | Hialeah + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 17.5% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 21.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Hialeah
$444,086
Hialeah +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Hialeah
47.1%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $444,086 | Hialeah + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 47.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Hialeah
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Hialeah
1453
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Hialeah, 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
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Hialeah
30.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Hialeah
19.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Hialeah
14.2%
Hialeah +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Hialeah
34.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Hialeah
13.4%
Hialeah +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Hialeah
12.1%
Hialeah +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 30.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 19.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 14.2% | Hialeah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 34.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.4% | Hialeah + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.1% | Hialeah + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Fort Lauderdale +
Hialeah
76.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Fort Lauderdale +
Hialeah
70.4 in
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | 76.0°F | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | 70.4 in | Fort Lauderdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Hialeah
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Hialeah
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Hialeah, 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
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Fort Lauderdale +
Hialeah
31.7 min
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 31.7 min | Fort Lauderdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while hialeah offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $444,086. On public safety, Hialeah is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Fort Lauderdale. 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, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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