Hialeah FL vs Modesto CA — 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%
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hialeah
221,901
Hialeah +
Modesto
218,614
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hialeah
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Hialeah
45.9
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
Foreign Born
Hialeah
74.7%
Hialeah +
Modesto
18.7%
White
Hialeah
32.4%
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
Black
Hialeah
1.3%
Modesto
4.7%
Modesto +
Asian
Hialeah
0.6%
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Hispanic
Hialeah
95.2%
Hialeah +
Modesto
43.9%
Spanish at Home
Hialeah
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 221,901 | 218,614 | Hialeah + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 45.9 | 35.4 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 74.7% | 18.7% | Hialeah + |
| White | 32.4% | 50.8% | Modesto + |
| Black | 1.3% | 4.7% | Modesto + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 7.4% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 95.2% | 43.9% | Hialeah + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hialeah
$53,079
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Per Capita Income
Hialeah
$25,766
Modesto
$34,656
Modesto +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hialeah
$65,328
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Unemployment Rate
Hialeah
3.7%
Hialeah +
Modesto
7.3%
Poverty Rate
Hialeah
17.5%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hialeah
21.2%
Hialeah +
Modesto
20.3%
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,079 | $77,899 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,766 | $34,656 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 7.3% | Hialeah + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.5% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.2% | 20.3% | Hialeah + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hialeah
$444,086
Hialeah +
Modesto
$447,353
Homeownership Rate
Hialeah
47.1%
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $444,086 | $447,353 | Hialeah + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.1% | 58.4% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hialeah
324
Hialeah +
Modesto
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hialeah
1453
Hialeah +
Modesto
2388
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Hialeah + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Hialeah + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
30.9%
Hialeah +
Modesto
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
19.1%
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hialeah
14.2%
Hialeah +
Modesto
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
34.7%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
13.4%
Hialeah +
Modesto
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
12.1%
Hialeah +
Modesto
13.7%
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | 36.2% | Hialeah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 12.1% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 19.0% | Hialeah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 16.5% | Hialeah + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.7% | Hialeah + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hialeah
76.0°F
Modesto
63.7°F
Modesto +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hialeah
70.4 in
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 76.0°F | 63.7°F | Modesto + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 70.4 in | 13.1 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hialeah
7.2 µg/m³
Hialeah +
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hialeah
75.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Hialeah + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hialeah
31.7 min
Modesto
30.5 min
Modesto +
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 30.5 min | Modesto + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, while hialeah offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $444,086. On public safety, Hialeah is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. 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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