Miami Gardens FL vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Miami Gardens
11,627
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami Gardens
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Miami Gardens
37.7
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Foreign Born
Miami Gardens
29.1%
Miami Gardens +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Miami Gardens +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Miami Gardens
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,627 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 37.4 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 29.1% | 9.1% | Miami Gardens + |
| White | 52.5% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 15.3% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 34.0% | 8.9% | Miami Gardens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Per Capita Income
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Miami Gardens +
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,873 | $90,685 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,003 | $47,372 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.9% | 8.4% | Miami Gardens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 64.7% | 40.4% | Miami Gardens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
Virginia Beach
64.9%
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,888 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 86.7% | 64.9% | Miami Gardens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
324
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
1453
Miami Gardens +
Virginia Beach
1726
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1726 | Miami Gardens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
34.3%
Miami Gardens +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami Gardens
17.5%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
15.4%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 36.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.4% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 15.6% | Miami Gardens + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami Gardens
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami Gardens
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Miami Gardens +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Miami Gardens + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.2 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Miami Gardens. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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