Miami Gardens FL vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Miami Gardens
11,627
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami Gardens
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Miami Gardens
37.7
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Miami Gardens
29.1%
Miami Gardens +
Washington
13.3%
White
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Miami Gardens +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Miami Gardens +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Miami Gardens
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,627 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 29.1% | 13.3% | Miami Gardens + |
| White | 52.5% | 39.1% | Miami Gardens + |
| Black | 15.3% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 34.0% | 11.6% | Miami Gardens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Washington
$106,287
Per Capita Income
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Washington
6.5%
Washington +
Poverty Rate
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +
Washington
63.6%
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,873 | $106,287 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,003 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.5% | Washington + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.9% | 14.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 64.7% | 63.6% | Miami Gardens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Miami Gardens +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,888 | $580,173 | Miami Gardens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 86.7% | 41.1% | Miami Gardens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
324
Miami Gardens +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
1453
Miami Gardens +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Washington, DC | 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%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami Gardens
17.5%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
15.4%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.4% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 24.0% | Miami Gardens + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami Gardens
N/A
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami Gardens
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Washington, DC | 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 +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Miami Gardens + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
Miami Gardens +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.2 min | 32.8 min | Miami Gardens + |
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 398 in Washington. Washington has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Miami Gardens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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