Miami Gardens FL vs Raleigh NC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Miami Gardens, FL
Florida · Population: 11,627
- Median HH Income$137,873
- Median Home Price$472,888
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+64.7%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Miami Gardens
11,627
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami Gardens
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Miami Gardens
37.7
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Miami Gardens
29.1%
Miami Gardens +
Raleigh
13.6%
White
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Black
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Miami Gardens +
Raleigh
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Miami Gardens
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,627 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 29.1% | 13.6% | Miami Gardens + |
| White | 52.5% | 53.8% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 15.3% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 34.0% | 12.7% | Miami Gardens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Raleigh
$82,424
Per Capita Income
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Miami Gardens +
Raleigh
$49,948
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Miami Gardens +
Raleigh
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
Raleigh
11.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +
Raleigh
52.9%
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,873 | $82,424 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,003 | $49,948 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | Miami Gardens + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.9% | 11.4% | Miami Gardens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 64.7% | 52.9% | Miami Gardens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Raleigh
$435,807
Raleigh +
Homeownership Rate
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,888 | $435,807 | Raleigh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 86.7% | 51.2% | Miami Gardens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
324
Miami Gardens +
Raleigh
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
1453
Miami Gardens +
Raleigh
1999
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 398 | Miami Gardens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1999 | Miami Gardens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
34.3%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami Gardens
17.5%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
Raleigh
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
15.4%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.4% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 15.3% | Miami Gardens + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami Gardens
N/A
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami Gardens
N/A
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Miami Gardens +
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Miami Gardens + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.2 min | 25.1 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, while raleigh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,807. On public safety, Miami Gardens is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Raleigh. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Miami Gardens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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