Miami Gardens FL vs San Diego CA — 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%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Miami Gardens
11,627
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami Gardens
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Miami Gardens
37.7
San Diego
36.0
San Diego +
Foreign Born
Miami Gardens
29.1%
Miami Gardens +
San Diego
24.8%
White
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Miami Gardens +
San Diego
50.4%
Black
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Miami Gardens +
San Diego
5.7%
Asian
Miami Gardens
3.5%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Miami Gardens +
San Diego
29.6%
Spanish at Home
Miami Gardens
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,627 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 36.0 | San Diego + |
| Foreign Born | 29.1% | 24.8% | Miami Gardens + |
| White | 52.5% | 50.4% | Miami Gardens + |
| Black | 15.3% | 5.7% | Miami Gardens + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 34.0% | 29.6% | Miami Gardens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
San Diego
$104,321
Per Capita Income
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Miami Gardens +
San Diego
$54,678
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami Gardens
$65,328
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
Miami Gardens
6.5%
San Diego
5.9%
San Diego +
Poverty Rate
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
San Diego
11.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +
San Diego
49.9%
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,873 | $104,321 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,003 | $54,678 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.9% | San Diego + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.9% | 11.1% | Miami Gardens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 64.7% | 49.9% | Miami Gardens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Miami Gardens +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,888 | $1,006,261 | Miami Gardens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 86.7% | 47.6% | Miami Gardens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
324
Miami Gardens +
San Diego
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
1453
Miami Gardens +
San Diego
2388
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Miami Gardens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Miami Gardens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
34.3%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
17.3%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami Gardens
17.5%
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
22.4%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
San Diego
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
15.4%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 16.5% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.4% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 16.9% | Miami Gardens + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami Gardens
N/A
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami Gardens
N/A
San Diego
12.3 in
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Miami Gardens +
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami Gardens
75.0%
San Diego
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Miami Gardens + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
San Diego
25.9 min
San Diego +
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.2 min | 25.9 min | San Diego + |
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 San Diego. San Diego has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Miami Gardens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
Compare More Cities
Miami Gardens, FL vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Miami Gardens, FLChicago, IL vs Miami Gardens, FLHouston, TX vs Miami Gardens, FLMiami Gardens, FL vs Phoenix, AZMiami Gardens, FL vs Philadelphia, PA