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

San Diego

California
197
VS

Hialeah

Florida
109

San Diego is 81% more expensive than Hialeah.

$2,223/mo ↑ 43%
Median Rent
$1,558/mo ↓ 30%
$104,321/yr ↑ 97%
Median Income
$53,079/yr ↓ 49%
$848,500 ↑ 136%
Home Value
$359,200 ↓ 58%
$2,308/mo ↑ 59%
Owner Costs
$1,448/mo ↓ 37%
1,385,061
Population
221,901

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

25.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
35.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Diego, CA and Hialeah, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 197 and 109 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $665/month cheaper in Hialeah, saving renters about $7,980/year.

Median household income is $51,242/year higher in San Diego. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Diego is $848,500 compared to $359,200 in Hialeah.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Diego vs Hialeah — common questions

Is San Diego or Hialeah cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Hialeah is cheaper to live in with an index of 109 compared to 197 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Diego and Hialeah?
Median rent in San Diego is $2,223/month and in Hialeah it's $1,558/month — a difference of $665/month.
Which city has higher income, San Diego or Hialeah?
Median household income is $104,321 in San Diego and $53,079 in Hialeah. Median household income is $51,242/year higher in San Diego.
How do taxes compare between California and Florida?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to San Diego or Hialeah?
It depends on your priorities. San Diego has a cost index of 197 with median rent of $2,223/mo, while Hialeah has a cost index of 109 with rent of $1,558/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Diego details → View Hialeah details →

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