Hialeah, FL vs Tampa, FL

Hialeah, FL and Tampa, FL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.6% difference in their overall index. Hialeah scores 116 while Tampa scores 114 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Hialeah is $1,558/month compared to $1,567/month in Tampa — a 1% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Hialeah is more affordable at $359,200 median vs $375,300.

Median household income in Hialeah is $53,079 compared to $71,302 in Tampa (-25.6%). Tampa offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Hialeah spend roughly 35.2% of their income on rent, more than the 26.4% in Tampa. The Tampa ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (76.9°F vs 74.5°F). Hialeah receives more rainfall at 62.7" per year compared to 49.5" in Tampa.