Hialeah FL vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hialeah
221,901
Hialeah +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hialeah
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Hialeah
45.9
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Hialeah
74.7%
Hialeah +
Waco
9.8%
White
Hialeah
32.4%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Hialeah
1.3%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Hialeah
0.6%
Waco
2.0%
Waco +
Hispanic
Hialeah
95.2%
Hialeah +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Hialeah
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 221,901 | 141,925 | Hialeah + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 45.9 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 74.7% | 9.8% | Hialeah + |
| White | 32.4% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 1.3% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 2.0% | Waco + |
| Hispanic | 95.2% | 29.9% | Hialeah + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hialeah
$53,079
Hialeah +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Hialeah
$25,766
Waco
$28,819
Waco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hialeah
$65,328
Hialeah +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Hialeah
3.7%
Hialeah +
Waco
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Hialeah
17.5%
Hialeah +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hialeah
21.2%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,079 | $51,468 | Hialeah + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,766 | $28,819 | Waco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $63,758 | Hialeah + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 4.4% | Hialeah + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.5% | 24.0% | Hialeah + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.2% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hialeah
$444,086
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Hialeah
47.1%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $444,086 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.1% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hialeah
324
Hialeah +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hialeah
1453
Hialeah +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 442 | Hialeah + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2339 | Hialeah + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
30.9%
Hialeah +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
19.1%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hialeah
14.2%
Hialeah +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
34.7%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
13.4%
Hialeah +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
12.1%
Hialeah +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | 36.8% | Hialeah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 20.4% | Hialeah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 16.2% | Hialeah + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 15.1% | Hialeah + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hialeah
76.0°F
Waco
66.6°F
Waco +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hialeah
70.4 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 76.0°F | 66.6°F | Waco + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 70.4 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hialeah
7.2 µg/m³
Hialeah +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hialeah
75.0%
Hialeah +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Hialeah + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Hialeah + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hialeah
31.7 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hialeah leads in median household income at $53,079, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Hialeah is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. 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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