Hialeah FL vs Independence MO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Hialeah, FL
Florida · Population: 221,901
- Median HH Income$53,079
- Median Home Price$444,086
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+21.2%
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hialeah
221,901
Hialeah +
Independence
121,944
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hialeah
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Hialeah
45.9
Independence
38.4
Independence +
Foreign Born
Hialeah
74.7%
Hialeah +
Independence
5.3%
White
Hialeah
32.4%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
Hialeah
1.3%
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Asian
Hialeah
0.6%
Independence
1.4%
Independence +
Hispanic
Hialeah
95.2%
Hialeah +
Independence
12.4%
Spanish at Home
Hialeah
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 221,901 | 121,944 | Hialeah + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 45.9 | 38.4 | Independence + |
| Foreign Born | 74.7% | 5.3% | Hialeah + |
| White | 32.4% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 1.3% | 10.8% | Independence + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 1.4% | Independence + |
| Hispanic | 95.2% | 12.4% | Hialeah + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hialeah
$53,079
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Per Capita Income
Hialeah
$25,766
Independence
$31,683
Independence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hialeah
$65,328
Hialeah +
Independence
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Hialeah
3.7%
Hialeah +
Independence
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Hialeah
17.5%
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hialeah
21.2%
Hialeah +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,079 | $59,480 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,766 | $31,683 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $58,527 | Hialeah + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 6.0% | Hialeah + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.5% | 15.3% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.2% | 20.9% | Hialeah + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hialeah
$444,086
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Homeownership Rate
Hialeah
47.1%
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $444,086 | $210,384 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.1% | 61.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hialeah
324
Hialeah +
Independence
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hialeah
1453
Hialeah +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 501 | Hialeah + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2418 | Hialeah + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
30.9%
Hialeah +
Independence
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
19.1%
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hialeah
14.2%
Hialeah +
Independence
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
34.7%
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
13.4%
Hialeah +
Independence
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
12.1%
Hialeah +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | 37.3% | Hialeah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 12.9% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 19.9% | Hialeah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 11.5% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 16.8% | Hialeah + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 18.4% | Hialeah + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hialeah
76.0°F
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hialeah
70.4 in
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 76.0°F | 54.5°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 70.4 in | 43.7 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hialeah
7.2 µg/m³
Hialeah +
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hialeah
75.0%
Hialeah +
Independence
55.0%
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Hialeah + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Hialeah + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hialeah
31.7 min
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 25.5 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Independence leads in median household income at $59,480, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Hialeah is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. 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%.
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