City Comparison
Hialeah vs Tampa
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Hialeah scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hialeah
Tampa
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Tampa is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Hialeah.
| Metric | Hialeah | Tampa | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,800 | +8% |
| Groceries | $480 | $552 | -13% |
| Utilities | $210 | $294 | -29% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $260 | $250 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $3,050 | $3,016 | +1% |
| Cost Index | 104 | 100 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tampa offers 26% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Tampa delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Hialeah is estimated at
$52,000 vs $70,000 in Tampa.
| Metric | Hialeah | Tampa |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $70,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 46,154 idx | 65,000 idx |
| Household Income | $47,500 | $84,114 |
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 | Tampa |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Tampa has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Hialeah.
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 | Tampa |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 31.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 50.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tampa is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Hialeah.
From a growth perspective, Tampa 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 | Tampa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,109 | 419,635 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 1.47% |
| Median Age | 42.1 | 35.9 |
| 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.
Tampa
Advantages
Tampa's job market is experiencing significant growth, particularly in education, health services, and financial activities.
The city has seen a substantial reduction in total crime (14.8%) and violent crime (8.4%) in 2024.
The median household income in Tampa increased by over 15% between 2023 and 2024.
Tampa offers a high quality of life with abundant outdoor activities and a vibrant cultural scene.
Healthcare costs in Tampa are generally lower than the Florida state average.
Drawbacks
The violent crime rate in Tampa (444.6 per 100,000) was higher than the national average in 2024.
Housing costs, particularly median home values, have seen a significant increase, making homeownership less accessible for some.
Tampa's population growth rate has slowed in 2024 compared to previous years, with fewer new residents moving to the city.
The city's overall walkability score is moderate, indicating a reliance on cars for many errands.
The unemployment rate in Tampa (4.8% in April 2026) is slightly above the national average.
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
Tampa
#517Florida, USA
51.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
100
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
31.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.47%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
70
Business
75
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