Gainesville 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Hialeah
221,901
Hialeah +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Hialeah
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Hialeah
45.9
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Hialeah
74.7%
Hialeah +
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Hialeah
32.4%
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Hialeah
1.3%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Hialeah
0.6%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Hialeah
95.2%
Hialeah +
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Hialeah
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 221,901 | Hialeah + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 45.9 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 74.7% | Hialeah + |
| White | 59.2% | 32.4% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 21.6% | 1.3% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 0.6% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 95.2% | Hialeah + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Hialeah
$53,079
Hialeah +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Gainesville +
Hialeah
$25,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Hialeah
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Hialeah
3.7%
Hialeah +
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Hialeah
17.5%
Hialeah +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Hialeah
21.2%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $53,079 | Hialeah + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $25,766 | Gainesville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 3.7% | Hialeah + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 17.5% | Hialeah + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 21.2% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Hialeah
$444,086
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Hialeah
47.1%
Hialeah +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $444,086 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 47.1% | Hialeah + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Hialeah
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Hialeah
1453
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, 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
Gainesville
31.2%
Hialeah
30.9%
Hialeah +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Hialeah
19.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Hialeah
14.2%
Hialeah +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Gainesville +
Hialeah
34.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Hialeah
13.4%
Hialeah +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Hialeah
12.1%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 30.9% | Hialeah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 19.1% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 14.2% | Hialeah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 34.7% | Gainesville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 13.4% | Hialeah + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.1% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Gainesville +
Hialeah
76.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Gainesville +
Hialeah
70.4 in
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 76.0°F | Gainesville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 70.4 in | Gainesville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Hialeah
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Hialeah
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, 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
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Hialeah
31.7 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 31.7 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hialeah leads in median household income at $53,079, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Hialeah is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Gainesville. 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, Hialeah scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
Compare More Cities
Gainesville, FL vs New York, NYGainesville, FL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Gainesville, FLGainesville, FL vs Houston, TXGainesville, FL vs Phoenix, AZGainesville, FL vs Philadelphia, PA