Miami Gardens FL vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Miami Gardens
11,627
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami Gardens
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Miami Gardens
37.7
Tampa
35.6
Tampa +
Foreign Born
Miami Gardens
29.1%
Miami Gardens +
Tampa
19.0%
White
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Miami Gardens +
Tampa
51.8%
Black
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Miami Gardens +
Tampa
26.2%
Spanish at Home
Miami Gardens
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,627 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 35.6 | Tampa + |
| Foreign Born | 29.1% | 19.0% | Miami Gardens + |
| White | 52.5% | 51.8% | Miami Gardens + |
| Black | 15.3% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 34.0% | 26.2% | Miami Gardens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Tampa
$71,302
Per Capita Income
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Miami Gardens +
Tampa
$49,513
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Tampa
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
Tampa
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +
Tampa
44.6%
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,873 | $71,302 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,003 | $49,513 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.9% | 15.9% | Miami Gardens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 64.7% | 44.6% | Miami Gardens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Tampa
$376,530
Tampa +
Homeownership Rate
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,888 | $376,530 | Tampa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 86.7% | 50.2% | Miami Gardens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
324
Tampa
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
1453
Tampa
1453
Tie
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 324 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1453 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
34.3%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Tampa
12.5%
Tampa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami Gardens
17.5%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
15.4%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 12.5% | Tampa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.4% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 16.7% | Miami Gardens + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami Gardens
N/A
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami Gardens
N/A
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 73.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
Tampa
26.8 min
Tampa +
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.2 min | 26.8 min | Tampa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, while tampa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $376,530. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Miami Gardens. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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