Hialeah is a mid-sized city in Florida with high livability score. It is a better place than Albuquerque because of its closely-knit communities and above-average learning institutions. Meanwhile, Albuquerque is an inexpensive city in New Mexico known for its beauty and stunning location.
The city of Hialeah is at the North West of Miami. It is the 6th most populated city in Florida, with more than 250,000. Hialeah has a solid Hispanic identity where almost 90% of its population is of Cuban descent.
Albuquerque is a culturally diverse city. It has a fair share of Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian, and Mexican ethnicities. It is culturally diverse, strongly manifested in its cuisine, attractions, and festivities.
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What are the Pros and Cons of Hialeah vs. Albuquerque?
Hialeah has tons of leisure and entertainment options and can provide more jobs. Albuquerque is famous for its beautiful attractions and culinary offerings. But both cities have a property crime rate higher than the US median rate.
Living in Hialeah
Pros
- Leisure and entertainment
- Blue Lagoon and El Portal Nature Trail
- Casino Miami
- Bucky Dent Park
- Curtiss Mansion
- Biscayne Boulevard
- Unemployment rate below the national average
- Great Neighborhood
- Key Biscayne
- Surfside
- Pinecrest
- Aventura
- Miami Shores
- Food culture
- La Carta
- El Rinconcito de Santa Barbara
- Don Camaron Seafood and Grill Market
- Morro Castle
- Chick-fil-A
- Free of state income
There are loads of exciting stuff to do in Hialeah. You can enjoy mountain biking, football, or picnicking. For water activities, you have the option to wakeboard, waterski, surf, or kneeboard.
The city has sports centers, parks, pools, and aquatic centers.
It has three tennis centers, five public pools, and 14 public parks.
You can enjoy Amelia Earhart Park extending to more than 500 acres of land.
Then there is the Miami Water Sports Complex and Milander Park. The latter has 10,000 capacity ideal for huge sports events. The city also has the Hialeah Park Race Track, where you can bet on horse races.
It would help if you did not also miss the following in Hialeah:
When you move to the city, you will never have a hard time finding a job. The city’s unemployment rate is 4% below the US median rate. Meaning most of its residents have full-time jobs. Several industries offer opportunities to job seekers.
It is a city with massive companies in the manufacturing and clothing industry. Over the years, Hialeah’s economy has been significantly evolving. It now employs big brand retailers, huge franchises, and other multinational companies.
You will find good real estate around the city. The average price is $300,000, and the median rent is $1,050 a month. You can find good houses in these neighborhoods, too:
Moving to Hialeah means tasting the top culinary dishes Florida has to offer. Since the city caters to the Cuban population, you will observe Spanish flavors in its dishes. It is the perfect place to have a taste of authentic Cuban food.
It also offers a wide range of Puerto Rican, Argentinian, American, and Caribbean food. Hialeah is an ideal place to embark on a food trip and enjoy Southern food. Thus, we recommend the following food places to you:
Another perk you can enjoy in Hialeah is its lack of state income. You will not pay for any personal income tax once you choose to reside in the city. Florida only collects 6% sales tax, intangible tax from investment, and corporate income tax. You are also free from paying inheritance or estate tax.
Cons
- Storms and hurricanes
- High crime rate
- Reasonable cost of living
- Stunning landscapes and endless recreational sites
- A new take to southern New Mexican cuisine
- Cultural festivities and celebrations
- Roswell UFO Festival
- Silver City Clay Festival
- Las Cruces Wine Festival
- Pie Town Festival
- Chile Festival
- Commercial space industry in New Mexico
- An isolated city
- High crime rate is a persistent issue
Hialeah is occasionally confronted by storms and hurricanes each year. It is a place where storms pass and residents move to another location during hurricane season. It can be a bit of a downside given the negative impact hurricanes do on one’s life.
Another drawback of the city is its high level of crime.
With more than 200,000 people, residents compete for space and economic opportunities.
The high recorded crime rate can be a deal-breaker for some.
Living in Albuquerque
Pros
Moving to ABQ is an excellent choice for people who want to enjoy a beautiful environment at a meager price. The cost of living is 5% below the national average. Meaning necessities like food, utilities, shelter, and transportation are affordable.
Rent is also cheap, where you can find single-family apartments for less than a thousand dollars. You can even buy a house in ABQ for less than $250,000. You will have a comfortable life in ABQ without spending too much.
ABQ is always proud of its natural beauty. It is home to remarkable landmarks like the Sandia Mountains and the Rio Grande River. Aside from these two, several geological parks and green spaces are around.
You always have a place to visit to appreciate the beauty of nature. The Sandia Peak Tramway and Rio Grande Botanic Garden should always be on your list. It is a great city to enjoy life outdoors.
If you want to experience a unique flavor of southern cuisine, Albuquerque is the place you should visit. The city has created the perfect blend of Hispanic, New Mexican, Native American, and Asian flavors to its culinary scene. The taste of green and red chile flavors is also very distinct in the city’s dishes.
Another thing to love about Albuquerque is how the locals enjoy festivities and celebrations. The city hosts vast festivals like the International Hot Air Balloon Festival and the Flamenco Festival. There are tons of events you can join all year round.
Other festivities you should not miss are the following:
If you are fascinated with space travel, heading to Albuquerque is an excellent move. New Mexico has the potential to launch the future of commercial space travel.
The United States invests in ABQ to fund space-related research and studies. The country also has Air Force installations and facilities in ABQ.
Cons
Albuquerque is an isolated city in New Mexico. It has a very elevation, making the town inaccessible from other entrance points. If you want more accessible access to neighboring towns, you might want to consider relocating here.
Crime is an ongoing issue in Albuquerque. The city government is failing to address this concern, given that the rate continues to exhibit an upwards trend. You will find that most of these crimes are also drug-related.
Hialeah or Albuquerque – Which is cheaper?
Albuquerque is 21.4% less expensive than Hialeah. The housing cost in ABQ is 27.5% cheaper than in Hialeah. Health and transportation are also more affordable.
| Living expenses | Hialeah | Albuquerque |
| Housing | 121.3% | 88% |
| Food & Groceries | 105.6% | 96% |
| Health | 98.8% | 81.1% |
| Utilities | 97.1% | 97.2% |
| Transportation | 141.6% | 89.4% |
Data is based on 100 = US National Average
> 100 means more expensive than the national average
< 100 means cheaper than the national average
Housing cost
Real estate is more expensive in Hialeah than in Albuquerque. The housing price in Hialeah is above the national average, while ABQ has home properties 5% below the median rate.
Rent is also cheaper in Albuquerque than in Hialeah. You can easily find an apartment less than $1,000 in ABQ, while rental rates in Hialeah can be as high as $2,154.
Utility cost
The cost of utilities in both cities is comparable. The electricity, water, phone, and internet costs are below the median in Albuquerque and Hialeah. Meaning they are paying less for utilities than most cities in the United States.
Food & groceries cost
Easting and buying groceries in ABQ is cheaper than in Hialeah. Essential items like milk, meat, and butter are higher in Hialeah than in the rest of the country. You will find yourself saving a tiny amount of money when you live in ABQ because of the food prices.
Transportation cost
Going around in Hialeah can be very expensive. The cost of transportation in this city is almost 40% higher than the national average. You will find gas prices, single-journey tickets, and parking pricier in this part of Florida. In comparison, ABQ has transportation costs below the US median rate.
Health care cost
Health care is affordable in both cities. They both offer healthcare services below the country’s median rate. You can quickly seek medical treatment in ABQ and Hialeah without worrying about paying for costly services.
Is Albuquerque bigger than Hialeah?
Albuquerque is way bigger than Hialeah by territory. It has a land area of 187.7 square miles, while Hialeah only has 19.7 square miles. Also, given the ABQ’s size, this city has more inhabitants than Hialeah.
Hialeah is a city located in Miami-Dade County. It is the principal city of the Miami metropolitan area with a very diverse economy. You will find familiar brands like Starbucks, The Home Depot, Best Buy, and Target around the town.
ABQ is an isolated city in New Mexico.
It has the highest elevation in the United States, around 4,900 feet above sea level.
The city residents enjoy the remarkable view of the Sandia Mountains and the ever-flowing Rio Grande River.
Is Hialeah safer than Albuquerque?
Hialeah is safer than Albuquerque. It has a violent crime index of 14.2 (22.7 US average), while ABQ has 51. In Hialeah, property crime is lower, with a 37.1 property crime index and 85.3 for Albuquerque.
There are various reasons why Hialeah’s crime rate is more stable and controlled. Given the size of its territory, laws are appropriately implemented, and there is more police presence in the city.
For Albuquerque, since the city is experiencing a high unemployment rate and poverty, more people resort to crime and drugs. Most of the crimes committed in ABQ are also drug-related.
Is Albuquerque warmer than Hialeah?
Albuquerque and Hialeah are both warm cities. The highest recorded temperatures go as high as 90 degrees. By comparison, ABQ is still warmer. It has a recorded high temperature of 92 degrees, while Hialeah has 90 degrees.
Hialeah enjoys a tropical monsoon climate. It is the reason why the city is prone to storms and hurricanes. Many residents regularly experience hurricanes each year.
ABQ has a cold semi-arid climate. The city is usually warm and sunny. Residents occasionally experience hot sunny weather accompanied by strong winds. Thus, it makes the city perfect to fly a hot air balloon.
Is Hialeah better than Albuquerque?
Hialeah is better than Albuquerque. It has a diverse economy, plenty of entertainment options, good neighborhoods, and offers several tax perks. Meanwhile, Albuquerque can boast about its affordability and beautiful environment.
Of course, if we weigh in the economic opportunities to sustain a high-quality life, Hialeah will win. It has a lower unemployment rate given that there are plenty of multinational companies providing jobs.
Nevertheless, Albuquerque is still a good option if you want to live on a budget. Its affordability is hard to ignore. You can have a comfortable life in ABQ without spending too much.
So, which city do you prefer? Albuquerque or Hialeah? May I know your thoughts below?