Hialeah FL vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hialeah
221,901
Hialeah +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hialeah
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Hialeah
45.9
Meridian
37.4
Meridian +
Foreign Born
Hialeah
74.7%
Hialeah +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Hialeah
32.4%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Hialeah
1.3%
Meridian
1.6%
Meridian +
Asian
Hialeah
0.6%
Meridian
2.1%
Meridian +
Hispanic
Hialeah
95.2%
Hialeah +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Hialeah
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 221,901 | 124,865 | Hialeah + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 45.9 | 37.4 | Meridian + |
| Foreign Born | 74.7% | 4.8% | Hialeah + |
| White | 32.4% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 1.3% | 1.6% | Meridian + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 2.1% | Meridian + |
| Hispanic | 95.2% | 9.5% | Hialeah + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hialeah
$53,079
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Hialeah
$25,766
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hialeah
$65,328
Hialeah +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Hialeah
3.7%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Hialeah
17.5%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hialeah
21.2%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,079 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,766 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $57,074 | Hialeah + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.5% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.2% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hialeah
$444,086
Hialeah +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Hialeah
47.1%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $444,086 | $534,732 | Hialeah + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.1% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hialeah
324
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hialeah
1453
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
30.9%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
19.1%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hialeah
14.2%
Hialeah +
Meridian
15.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
34.7%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
13.4%
Hialeah +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
12.1%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 15.5% | Hialeah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 17.6% | Hialeah + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hialeah
76.0°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hialeah
70.4 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 76.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 70.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hialeah
7.2 µg/m³
Hialeah +
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hialeah
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Hialeah + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hialeah
31.7 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while hialeah offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $444,086. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Hialeah. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Hialeah has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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