Houston TX vs Miami Gardens FL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Miami Gardens, FL
Florida · Population: 11,627
- Median HH Income$137,873
- Median Home Price$472,888
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+64.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Miami Gardens
11,627
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Miami Gardens
37.7
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Miami Gardens
29.1%
Miami Gardens +
White
Houston
35.5%
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Miami Gardens +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 11,627 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.7 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 29.1% | Miami Gardens + |
| White | 35.5% | 52.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Black | 22.9% | 15.3% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 3.5% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 34.0% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Miami Gardens +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Miami Gardens +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $137,873 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $57,003 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Miami Gardens + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 7.9% | Miami Gardens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 64.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $472,888 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 86.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Miami Gardens
324
Miami Gardens +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Miami Gardens
1453
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | Miami Gardens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | Miami Gardens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Miami Gardens
34.3%
Miami Gardens +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Houston +
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Miami Gardens
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Miami Gardens +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
Miami Gardens
15.4%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 34.3% | Miami Gardens + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 17.3% | Houston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 17.5% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 22.4% | Miami Gardens + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.7% | Miami Gardens + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 15.4% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Miami Gardens +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami Gardens + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Miami Gardens + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 29.2 min | Miami Gardens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Miami Gardens is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Miami Gardens has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Miami Gardens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami Gardens scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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