Cost of Living: Hialeah, FL vs Downey, CA (2026)

Hialeah

Florida
109
VS

Downey

California
169

Hialeah is 36% cheaper than Downey.

$1,558/mo ↓ 18%
Median Rent
$1,892/mo ↑ 21%
$53,079/yr ↓ 39%
Median Income
$87,400/yr ↑ 65%
$359,200 ↓ 51%
Home Value
$728,500 ↑ 103%
$1,448/mo ↓ 27%
Owner Costs
$1,997/mo ↑ 38%
221,901
Population
111,793

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

35.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Hialeah, FL and Downey, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 109 and 169 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $334/month cheaper in Hialeah, saving renters about $4,008/year.

Median household income is $34,321/year higher in Downey. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Hialeah is $359,200 compared to $728,500 in Downey.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Hialeah residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hialeah vs Downey — common questions

Is Hialeah or Downey cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Hialeah is cheaper to live in with an index of 109 compared to 169 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Hialeah and Downey?
Median rent in Hialeah is $1,558/month and in Downey it's $1,892/month — a difference of $334/month.
Which city has higher income, Hialeah or Downey?
Median household income is $53,079 in Hialeah and $87,400 in Downey. Median household income is $34,321/year higher in Downey.
How do taxes compare between Florida and California?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Hialeah or Downey?
It depends on your priorities. Hialeah has a cost index of 109 with median rent of $1,558/mo, while Downey has a cost index of 169 with rent of $1,892/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Hialeah details → View Downey details →

More Comparisons

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