City Comparison
Hialeah vs St. Petersburg
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Hialeah scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hialeah
St. Petersburg
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Hialeah is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in St. Petersburg.
| Metric | Hialeah | St. Petersburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,799 | +8% |
| Groceries | $480 | $450 | +7% |
| Utilities | $210 | $311 | -32% |
| Transport | $150 | $124 | +21% |
| Healthcare | $260 | $650 | -60% |
| Monthly Total | $3,050 | $3,334 | -9% |
| Cost Index | 104 | 97 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
St. Petersburg offers 36% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, St. Petersburg delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Hialeah is estimated at
$52,000 vs $94,432 in St. Petersburg.
| Metric | Hialeah | St. Petersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $75,192 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $94,432 |
| Purchasing Power | 46,154 idx | 77,518 idx |
| Household Income | $47,500 | $75,192 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Hialeah runs warmer on average — a 76.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Hialeah comes out ahead with 202 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Hialeah sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hialeah | St. Petersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 76.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 89.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 62.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 54.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 202 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
St. Petersburg scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, St. Petersburg leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hialeah | St. Petersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
St. Petersburg is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Hialeah.
From a growth perspective, St. Petersburg 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 | St. Petersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,109 | 263,293 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.62% |
| Median Age | 42.1 | 43.0 |
| Unemployment | 2.20% | 4.00% |
| 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.
St. Petersburg
Advantages
Abundant sunshine and a warm climate year-round, with an average of 361 sunny days annually.
Vibrant arts and culture scene, including the world-renowned Dalí Museum and numerous galleries.
Strong economic growth and a favorable business environment, ranking #4 in the U.S. for economic growth among mid-sized cities.
No state income tax, which can significantly reduce the overall tax burden for residents.
Beautiful beaches and numerous outdoor recreational opportunities, including parks and waterfront activities.
Drawbacks
Higher than average crime rates, with a violent crime rate of 619.6 per 100,000 residents.
Housing costs, including median home prices and rental rates, can be a significant financial burden for residents.
High humidity and oppressive summer conditions, with temperatures often feeling uncomfortable from May to October.
Above-average utility costs, particularly for electricity and sewer services, contributing to the overall cost of living.
Vulnerability to hurricanes and rising sea levels, which can lead to higher insurance premiums and potential property damage.
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
St. Petersburg
#573Florida, USA
46.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,799
Avg Salary
$75,192
Cost Index
97
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.62%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
78
Business
75
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