Hialeah FL vs Lakeland FL — 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%
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hialeah
221,901
Hialeah +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hialeah
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Hialeah
45.9
Hialeah +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Hialeah
74.7%
Hialeah +
Lakeland
12.9%
White
Hialeah
32.4%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Hialeah
1.3%
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Asian
Hialeah
0.6%
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Hispanic
Hialeah
95.2%
Hialeah +
Lakeland
14.4%
Spanish at Home
Hialeah
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 221,901 | 82,506 | Hialeah + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 45.9 | 48.4 | Hialeah + |
| Foreign Born | 74.7% | 12.9% | Hialeah + |
| White | 32.4% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 1.3% | 8.8% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 3.7% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 95.2% | 14.4% | Hialeah + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hialeah
$53,079
Lakeland
$60,465
Lakeland +
Per Capita Income
Hialeah
$25,766
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hialeah
$65,328
Lakeland
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Hialeah
3.7%
Hialeah +
Lakeland
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Hialeah
17.5%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hialeah
21.2%
Lakeland
26.8%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,079 | $60,465 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,766 | $36,322 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 4.3% | Hialeah + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.5% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.2% | 26.8% | Lakeland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hialeah
$444,086
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Homeownership Rate
Hialeah
47.1%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $444,086 | $312,001 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.1% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hialeah
324
Lakeland
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hialeah
1453
Lakeland
1453
Tie
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Lakeland, 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
Hialeah
30.9%
Hialeah +
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
19.1%
Lakeland
13.3%
Lakeland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hialeah
14.2%
Hialeah +
Lakeland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
34.7%
Lakeland
16.4%
Lakeland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
13.4%
Hialeah +
Lakeland
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
12.1%
Hialeah +
Lakeland
14.1%
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | 38.9% | Hialeah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 13.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 18.3% | Hialeah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 16.4% | Lakeland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 14.9% | Hialeah + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.1% | Hialeah + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hialeah
76.0°F
Lakeland
72.6°F
Lakeland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hialeah
70.4 in
Lakeland
54.8 in
Lakeland +
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 76.0°F | 72.6°F | Lakeland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 70.4 in | 54.8 in | Lakeland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hialeah
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hialeah
75.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Lakeland, 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
Hialeah
31.7 min
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 25.6 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakeland leads in median household income at $60,465, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Hialeah. Hialeah has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Lakeland 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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