City Comparison
Hialeah vs West Palm Beach
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
West Palm Beach scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hialeah
West Palm Beach
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Hialeah is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in West Palm Beach.
| Metric | Hialeah | West Palm Beach | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $2,150 | -9% |
| Groceries | $480 | $480 | 0% |
| Utilities | $210 | $195 | +8% |
| Transport | $150 | $135 | +11% |
| Healthcare | $260 | $270 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $3,050 | $3,230 | -6% |
| Cost Index | 104 | 115 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
West Palm Beach offers 35% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, West Palm Beach delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Hialeah is estimated at
$52,000 vs $65,000 in West Palm Beach.
| Metric | Hialeah | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $74,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 46,154 idx | 64,348 idx |
| Household Income | $47,500 | $76,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.2°F of each other.
For sunshine, Hialeah comes out ahead with 19 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
| Metric | Hialeah | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 76.80°F | 76.60°F |
| Summer High | 89.60°F | 88.90°F |
| Winter Low | 62.90°F | 64.00°F |
| Rainfall | 54.00 in | 53.50 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 202 | 183 |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 72.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
West Palm Beach has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Hialeah.
West Palm Beach scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, West Palm Beach leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hialeah | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | 54.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hialeah is the larger city
— approximately 1.8x the population of West Palm Beach.
From a growth perspective, West Palm Beach 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 | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,109 | 120,824 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 1.50% |
| Median Age | 42.1 | 41.0 |
| Unemployment | 2.20% | 3.50% |
| 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.
West Palm Beach
Advantages
No state income tax in Florida, providing significant tax relief for residents and businesses.
Rapidly expanding financial and tech sectors ('Wall Street South') creating high-paying career opportunities.
Vibrant downtown waterfront dining, shopping, and cultural venues like the Norton Museum of Art.
Exceptional year-round warm weather with access to pristine Atlantic beaches and outdoor recreation.
Connected transit options via Brightline high-speed rail linking directly to Miami and Orlando.
Drawbacks
Rising cost of living and housing prices driven by high demand and population influx.
High homeowners and property insurance costs due to regional weather risks.
Significant traffic congestion along major regional corridors during peak commuting hours.
High humidity and intense heat during summer months limiting midday outdoor activity.
Competitive rental market making affordable housing difficult to secure for mid-income workers.
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
West Palm Beach
#434Florida, USA
56.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,150
Avg Salary
$74,000
Cost Index
115
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
183/yr
Avg Temp
76.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
76
Business
78
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