Los Angeles CA 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)
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Miami Gardens
11,627
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Los Angeles
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
Median Age
Los Angeles
36.9
Los Angeles +
Miami Gardens
37.7
Foreign Born
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
Miami Gardens
29.1%
White
Los Angeles
37.3%
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Miami Gardens +
Black
Los Angeles
8.5%
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Miami Gardens +
Asian
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Hispanic
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Spanish at Home
Los Angeles
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 11,627 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 37.7 | Los Angeles + |
| Foreign Born | 35.8% | 29.1% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 37.3% | 52.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Black | 8.5% | 15.3% | Miami Gardens + |
| Asian | 12.0% | 3.5% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 34.0% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Los Angeles
$80,366
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Income
Los Angeles
$46,270
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Los Angeles
7.9%
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Miami Gardens +
Poverty Rate
Los Angeles
16.6%
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
Bachelor's Degree+
Los Angeles
37.8%
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,366 | $137,873 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,270 | $57,003 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 6.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 7.9% | Miami Gardens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 64.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Los Angeles
$956,465
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Miami Gardens +
Homeownership Rate
Los Angeles
36.3%
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $956,465 | $472,888 | Miami Gardens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.3% | 86.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
503
Miami Gardens
324
Miami Gardens +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
2388
Miami Gardens
1453
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Miami Gardens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Miami Gardens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
Miami Gardens
34.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Los Angeles
17.4%
Los Angeles +
Miami Gardens
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
13.2%
Los Angeles +
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
15.9%
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Miami Gardens
15.4%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.3% | 34.3% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 17.3% | Los Angeles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 17.5% | Los Angeles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 22.4% | Los Angeles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 12.7% | Miami Gardens + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 15.4% | Los Angeles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Miami Gardens
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Miami Gardens +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Los Angeles
75.0%
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami Gardens + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Los Angeles
33.8 min
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 29.2 min | Miami Gardens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, while miami Gardens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $472,888. On public safety, Miami Gardens is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Los Angeles. 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, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
Compare More Cities
Los Angeles, CA vs New York, NYChicago, IL vs Los Angeles, CAHouston, TX vs Los Angeles, CALos Angeles, CA vs Phoenix, AZLos Angeles, CA vs Philadelphia, PALos Angeles, CA vs San Antonio, TX