Miami Gardens FL vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Miami Gardens
11,627
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami Gardens
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Miami Gardens
37.7
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Miami Gardens
29.1%
Miami Gardens +
Tempe
13.9%
White
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Miami Gardens +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Miami Gardens +
Tempe
23.1%
Spanish at Home
Miami Gardens
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,627 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 29.1% | 13.9% | Miami Gardens + |
| White | 52.5% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 15.3% | 7.8% | Miami Gardens + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 34.0% | 23.1% | Miami Gardens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Tempe
$77,643
Per Capita Income
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Miami Gardens +
Tempe
$42,371
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Miami Gardens +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +
Tempe
49.5%
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,873 | $77,643 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,003 | $42,371 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | Miami Gardens + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.9% | 16.2% | Miami Gardens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 64.7% | 49.5% | Miami Gardens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Tempe
$468,328
Tempe +
Homeownership Rate
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,888 | $468,328 | Tempe + |
| Homeownership Rate | 86.7% | 41.6% | Miami Gardens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
324
Miami Gardens +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
1453
Miami Gardens +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 450 | Miami Gardens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2150 | Miami Gardens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
34.3%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami Gardens
17.5%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
15.4%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.4% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 18.3% | Miami Gardens + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami Gardens
N/A
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami Gardens
N/A
Tempe
9.3 in
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 9.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.2 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, while tempe offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $468,328. On public safety, Miami Gardens is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tempe. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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