Hialeah FL vs Lafayette LA — 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%
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hialeah
221,901
Hialeah +
Lafayette
121,537
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hialeah
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Hialeah
45.9
Lafayette
37.1
Lafayette +
Foreign Born
Hialeah
74.7%
Hialeah +
Lafayette
6.6%
White
Hialeah
32.4%
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Black
Hialeah
1.3%
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Asian
Hialeah
0.6%
Lafayette
2.1%
Lafayette +
Hispanic
Hialeah
95.2%
Hialeah +
Lafayette
7.6%
Spanish at Home
Hialeah
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 221,901 | 121,537 | Hialeah + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 45.9 | 37.1 | Lafayette + |
| Foreign Born | 74.7% | 6.6% | Hialeah + |
| White | 32.4% | 59.1% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 1.3% | 28.6% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 2.1% | Lafayette + |
| Hispanic | 95.2% | 7.6% | Hialeah + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hialeah
$53,079
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Per Capita Income
Hialeah
$25,766
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hialeah
$65,328
Hialeah +
Lafayette
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Hialeah
3.7%
Hialeah +
Lafayette
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Hialeah
17.5%
Hialeah +
Lafayette
19.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hialeah
21.2%
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,079 | $61,454 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,766 | $39,861 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $55,297 | Hialeah + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 5.1% | Hialeah + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.5% | 19.1% | Hialeah + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.2% | 40.6% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hialeah
$444,086
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Homeownership Rate
Hialeah
47.1%
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $444,086 | $225,222 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.1% | 55.0% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hialeah
324
Hialeah +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hialeah
1453
Hialeah +
Lafayette
2824
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 643 | Hialeah + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2824 | Hialeah + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
30.9%
Hialeah +
Lafayette
34.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
19.1%
Lafayette
14.0%
Lafayette +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hialeah
14.2%
Hialeah +
Lafayette
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
34.7%
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
13.4%
Hialeah +
Lafayette
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
12.1%
Hialeah +
Lafayette
16.1%
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | 34.5% | Hialeah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 14.0% | Lafayette + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 18.4% | Hialeah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 8.3% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 17.8% | Hialeah + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 16.1% | Hialeah + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hialeah
76.0°F
Lafayette
67.6°F
Lafayette +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hialeah
70.4 in
Lafayette
61.0 in
Lafayette +
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 76.0°F | 67.6°F | Lafayette + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 70.4 in | 61.0 in | Lafayette + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hialeah
7.2 µg/m³
Hialeah +
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hialeah
75.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Hialeah + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hialeah
31.7 min
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 21.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette leads in median household income at $61,454, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Hialeah is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. 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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