Hialeah FL vs Lake Charles 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%
Lake Charles, LA
Louisiana · Population: 81,679
- Median HH Income$56,864
- Median Home Price$204,081
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hialeah
221,901
Hialeah +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hialeah
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Hialeah
45.9
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Foreign Born
Hialeah
74.7%
Hialeah +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Hialeah
32.4%
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Black
Hialeah
1.3%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Hialeah
0.6%
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Hispanic
Hialeah
95.2%
Hialeah +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Hialeah
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 221,901 | 81,679 | Hialeah + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 45.9 | 36.2 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 74.7% | 4.7% | Hialeah + |
| White | 32.4% | 47.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 1.3% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 2.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 95.2% | 4.7% | Hialeah + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hialeah
$53,079
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Income
Hialeah
$25,766
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hialeah
$65,328
Hialeah +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Hialeah
3.7%
Hialeah +
Lake Charles
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Hialeah
17.5%
Hialeah +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hialeah
21.2%
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,079 | $56,864 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,766 | $35,847 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $55,297 | Hialeah + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 5.5% | Hialeah + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.5% | 23.2% | Hialeah + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.2% | 29.4% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hialeah
$444,086
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Hialeah
47.1%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $444,086 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.1% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hialeah
324
Hialeah +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hialeah
1453
Hialeah +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Lake Charles, 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 +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
19.1%
Lake Charles
16.2%
Lake Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hialeah
14.2%
Hialeah +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
34.7%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
13.4%
Hialeah +
Lake Charles
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
12.1%
Hialeah +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | 45.6% | Hialeah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.2% | Lake Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 19.7% | Hialeah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 15.6% | Hialeah + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 18.0% | Hialeah + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hialeah
76.0°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hialeah
70.4 in
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 76.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 70.4 in | 62.4 in | Lake Charles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hialeah
7.2 µg/m³
Hialeah +
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hialeah
75.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Lake Charles, 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
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lake Charles leads in median household income at $56,864, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Hialeah is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. 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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