City Comparison
Hialeah vs Palm Bay
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Palm Bay scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hialeah
Palm Bay
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Palm Bay is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Hialeah.
| Metric | Hialeah | Palm Bay | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $2,000 | -3% |
| Groceries | $480 | $420 | +14% |
| Utilities | $210 | $175 | +20% |
| Transport | $150 | $125 | +20% |
| Healthcare | $260 | $240 | +8% |
| Monthly Total | $3,050 | $2,960 | +3% |
| Cost Index | 104 | 100 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Palm Bay offers 28% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Palm Bay delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Hialeah is estimated at
$52,000 vs $58,000 in Palm Bay.
| Metric | Hialeah | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $67,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 46,154 idx | 67,000 idx |
| Household Income | $47,500 | $72,614 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.8°F of each other.
| Metric | Hialeah | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 76.80°F | 74.00°F |
| Summer High | 89.60°F | 88.80°F |
| Winter Low | 62.90°F | 57.30°F |
| Rainfall | 54.00 in | 51.20 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 202 | 194 |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Hialeah scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Hialeah leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hialeah | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hialeah is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x the population of Palm Bay.
From a growth perspective, Palm Bay is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Hialeah has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Hialeah | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,109 | 148,092 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 3.58% |
| Median Age | 42.1 | 41.0 |
| Unemployment | 2.20% | 4.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hialeah
Advantages
Vibrant Cuban-American culture with exceptional authentic dining and community traditions.
Centrally located in Miami-Dade County with easy access to major highways and airports.
Robust local economy driven by healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics employers.
Abundant public parks and recreational spaces like the 515-acre Amelia Earhart Park.
Generally lower cost of living and housing options compared to neighboring Miami.
Drawbacks
High car dependency and frequent peak-hour traffic congestion on major roadways.
Hot, humid summer climate requiring continuous air conditioning and high utility costs.
Rising housing and rental costs driven by broader South Florida market pressures.
Language barriers for non-Spanish speakers in certain neighborhoods and local businesses.
Vulnerability to severe weather events and tropical storms during hurricane season.
Palm Bay
Advantages
Median home values remain accessible at approximately $283,200, offering competitive value compared to other Florida coastal markets.
Proximity to high-tech and aerospace giants like L3Harris and Raytheon provides robust local career paths.
Abundant natural recreation areas, including Turkey Creek Sanctuary and access to the Indian River Lagoon.
Strategic infrastructure enhancements like the St. Johns Heritage Parkway improve local transit connectivity.
Favorable subtropical climate with roughly 194 sunny days per year and mild winter averages.
Drawbacks
High population growth rate has placed upward pressure on local rental and housing inventories.
Car dependency is high, with limited public mass transit options across the sprawling 86-square-mile city footprint.
Summer heat and humidity can be intense, accompanied by high seasonal rainfall during tropical storm months.
Traffic congestion concentrates heavily during peak hours along major arteries like Palm Bay Road and Malabar Road.
Pockets of the city experience vulnerability to localized heavy rainfall and temporary urban flooding.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Hialeah
#460Florida, USA
55.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
104
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
202/yr
Avg Temp
76.80°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
2.20%
Livability
69
Business
72
Palm Bay
#196Florida, USA
63.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,000
Avg Salary
$67,000
Cost Index
100
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
194/yr
Avg Temp
74.00°F
Pop. Growth
3.58%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
74
Business
72
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