Los Angeles, CA vs Hialeah, FL
Cost of Living Comparison — 2026
Renters in Los Angeles, CA spend a smaller share of their income on housing. Median household income is 34% higher in Los Angeles, CA. Home prices in Los Angeles, CA run 59% higher. Hialeah, FL has the lower unemployment rate.
Detailed Comparison
Housing Costs and Affordability
A common benchmark is spending no more than 30% of gross income on housing. In Los Angeles, CA, renters allocate roughly 28.1% of median household income to rent (within that threshold). In Hialeah, FL, the figure is 35.2% , making Los Angeles, CA the easier city for renters on a budget.
For prospective homebuyers, the price-to-income ratio tells you how many years of gross income it takes to match the median home price. In Los Angeles, CA, that ratio is 10.9x. Homes cost 10.9 times the median annual income. In Hialeah, FL, it's 6.8x. Homeownership is relatively more accessible in Hialeah, FL.
Monthly housing costs (rent plus utilities) average $2,055 in Los Angeles and $1,448 in Hialeah. These figures include renters paying utilities separately from rent.
Income and Labor Market
Median household income in Los Angeles, CA is $80,366; in Hialeah, FL it is $53,079. That's a $27,287 gap, but income alone doesn't tell the full story without accounting for local costs.
Unemployment stands at 7.9% in Los Angeles and 3.7% in Hialeah. Labor force participation (the share of the population working or actively job-seeking) is 55.1% in Los Angeles versus 52.6% in Hialeah.
Population
Los Angeles, CA has a population of 3,857,897, making it the larger of the two cities. Hialeah, FL has 221,901 residents. City size affects everything from transit options and job market depth to cost pressures. Larger metros typically see higher housing demand.
Data Sources
All data is from the US Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Income, housing, and employment figures represent the most recent available estimates. Data is refreshed as new Census releases become available.