Mesquite 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)

Mesquite, TX

Texas · Population: 148,848

  • Median HH Income$71,843
  • Median Home Price$263,551
  • Unemployment4.8%
  • Bachelor's+18.5%

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
Mesquite
148,848
Mesquite +
Miami Gardens
11,627
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesquite
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
Median Age
Mesquite
33.4
Mesquite +
Miami Gardens
37.7
Foreign Born
Mesquite
21.0%
Miami Gardens
29.1%
Miami Gardens +
White
Mesquite
37.8%
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Miami Gardens +
Black
Mesquite
24.7%
Mesquite +
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Asian
Mesquite
3.0%
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Miami Gardens +
Hispanic
Mesquite
44.7%
Mesquite +
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Spanish at Home
Mesquite
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Mesquite
$71,843
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Income
Mesquite
$29,291
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesquite
$63,758
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Miami Gardens +
Unemployment Rate
Mesquite
4.8%
Mesquite +
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Mesquite
12.4%
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesquite
18.5%
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesquite
$263,551
Mesquite +
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Homeownership Rate
Mesquite
63.2%
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesquite
442
Miami Gardens
324
Miami Gardens +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesquite
2339
Miami Gardens
1453
Miami Gardens +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesquite
46.4%
Miami Gardens
34.3%
Miami Gardens +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesquite
12.9%
Mesquite +
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesquite
18.7%
Miami Gardens
17.5%
Miami Gardens +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesquite
23.4%
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Miami Gardens +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesquite
13.4%
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesquite
18.5%
Miami Gardens
15.4%
Miami Gardens +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesquite
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesquite
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesquite
9.2 µg/m³
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Miami Gardens +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesquite
55.0%
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Miami Gardens +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesquite
35.6 min
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
Miami Gardens +

Which City is Right for You?

Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, while mesquite offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $263,551. On public safety, Miami Gardens is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Mesquite. Mesquite has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, 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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About Mesquite & Miami Gardens