Comparing Miami, Florida, a vibrant coastal city known for its culture and nightlife, to Sunshine Parkway, Florida, a tranquil suburban area provides a stark contrast between city life and suburban tranquility. This comparison considers various aspects such as crime and safety, weather, cost of living, education, work and economy, infrastructure, among others. The contrasting lifestyles in both areas present unique opportunities and challenges for both residents looking to relocate and tourists visiting for a short timespan.
Miami, given its large population and urban setting, experiences a slightly higher crime rate compared to the national average. However, the central tourist areas and neighborhoods typically have effective safety measures and police presence. Sunshine Parkway, on the other hand, boasts a suburban setting and has a lower crime rate than Miami. Its small-town atmosphere affords residents a sense of safety and security, making it an attractive place for families.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Miami is relatively high, with housing being the primary factor that drives the cost. However, the city offers a broad range of lifestyle options suitable for different budget levels. Sunshine Parkway, conversely, offers a lower cost of living, providing more affordable housing options and generally lower living costs.
Income Tax
Florida has no state income tax, and this is applicable to both Miami and Sunshine Parkway.
Property Tax
Property taxes vary in Miami and Sunshine Parkway, depending on the property assessed value, but both abide by Florida's property tax laws.
Sales Tax
The city and state sales tax in both Miami and Sunshine Parkway is the same, at 6 percent, as set by the state of Florida.
Income
Type
Miami
Sunshine Parkway
Estimated median household income
$48,789
$89,495
Estimated per capita income
$37,223
$46,671
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
110.1
109
If you make $50,000 in Sunshine Parkway, you will have to make $50,505 in Miami to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Miami is a coastal city that boasts beautiful beaches and a vibrant nightlife. Sunshine Parkway, more inland, offers a more tranquil environment with green spaces and open parks.
Geographical information
Type
Miami
Sunshine Parkway
Land area
35.7 sq. miles
134.5 sq. miles
Population density
12,331 people per sq. mile
1,139.3 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
Miami, FL Sunshine Parkway, FL
Education
In terms of education, Miami houses many renowned educational institutions, from primary schools to universities. For individuals seeking higher education, Miami is home to well-known universities such as the University of Miami. In contrast, Sunshine Parkway offers a more localized educational setting with smaller class sizes, providing children with more personalized attention in schools.
Miami's economy is primarily driven by tourism, real estate, finance, and international trade. It offers a plethora of job opportunities in diverse sectors. The economy of Sunshine Parkway, being a smaller town, is centered on local businesses and service providers, supplemented by some tourism.
Biggest Employers
In Miami, major employers include the Miami-Dade County Public Schools, the Federal Government, and the University of Miami. In Sunshine Parkway, major employers encompass local businesses and the local school district.
In Miami (Miami-Dade County), 61.8% voted for Democrats and 38.0% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Sunshine Parkway (Palm Beach County), 58.3% voted for Democrats and 41.3% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Miami
Sunshine Parkway
Miami
Sunshine Parkway
Miami
Sunshine Parkway
2020
53.5%
56.2%
46.2%
43.4%
0.3%
0.4%
2016
63.4%
56.3%
33.9%
41.0%
2.7%
2.7%
2012
61.8%
58.3%
38.0%
41.3%
0.3%
0.4%
2008
58.1%
61.4%
41.9%
38.4%
0.0%
0.3%
2004
53.0%
60.5%
46.7%
39.2%
0.3%
0.3%
2000
52.7%
62.5%
46.4%
35.4%
0.9%
2.1%
1996
57.3%
58.1%
37.9%
33.7%
4.8%
8.3%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Miami
Sunshine Parkway
Miami
Sunshine Parkway
CATHOLIC CHURCH
21.8%
15.9%
4.5%
4.6%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
3.2%
2.6%
21.8%
16.4%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
1.1%
0.6%
4.3%
3.1%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.9%
0.9%
1.0%
1.2%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.5%
0.8%
2.1%
2.6%
INTERNA PENTECO HOLINESS CHURCH
0.1%
0.6%
1.3%
2.5%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.1%
0.4%
0.8%
1.4%
Weather
Both Miami and Sunshine Parkway enjoy the characteristic tropical climate of Florida. Miami, being a coastal city, experiences high humidity, warm winters, and hot summers. Rainfall is abundant but seasonal. Sunshine Parkway also experiences similar weather patterns, featuring warm winters and hot summers, providing an ideal climate for those who enjoy sun and warmth year-round.
Weather and climate
Type
Miami
Sunshine Parkway
Temperature - Average
77.3°F
75.2°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
77.3%
77.5%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
31%
31%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
86%
86%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
55%
55%
Precipitation - Yearly average
60 in
60.5 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
0 in
0 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
12.3%
12.7%
Sunshine amount - Average
76.8%
76.8%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
16%
16%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
79%
79.1%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
63%
63.1%
Wind speed - Average
9.1 mph
10.2 mph
Average climate in Miami, Florida
Average climate in Sunshine Parkway, Florida
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Miami
Sunshine Parkway
Miami
Sunshine Parkway
Miami
Sunshine Parkway
Miami
Sunshine Parkway
Miami
Sunshine Parkway
Miami
Sunshine Parkway
Miami
2018
72
57
0.24
N/A
2.7
3.4
31.8
29.0
15.5
15.3
8.6
N/A
0.3
N/A
2017
80
65
0.27
N/A
3.0
4.0
30.9
27.3
N/A
22.9
8.5
N/A
0.4
N/A
2016
68
75
0.30
N/A
2.9
3.6
32.6
29.0
N/A
33.4
7.2
N/A
0.0
N/A
2015
62
67
0.23
N/A
2.4
3.7
29.0
25.6
N/A
30.3
8.2
7.4
0.0
N/A
2014
71
66
0.21
N/A
3.8
N/A
30.7
24.9
N/A
16.6
8.0
6.5
0.0
N/A
2013
64
64
0.22
N/A
3.1
N/A
30.8
25.3
N/A
18.5
7.9
6.1
0.0
N/A
2012
71
64
0.19
N/A
2.9
N/A
32.1
26.3
N/A
22.7
8.7
8.1
0.0
N/A
2011
72
68
0.16
N/A
3.0
5.4
32.3
26.9
N/A
22.2
8.7
7.4
0.0
N/A
2010
77
49
0.31
N/A
4.2
5.7
32.3
26.3
N/A
N/A
9.1
N/A
0.0
N/A
2009
67
42
0.53
N/A
3.3
5.7
31.9
24.3
N/A
N/A
9.1
N/A
0.0
N/A
2008
95
58
0.55
0.50
3.8
5.2
31.0
23.7
18.0
19.5
10.5
N/A
0.0
N/A
2007
94
55
0.59
0.51
5.0
7.1
33.5
24.8
21.9
18.5
10.5
N/A
0.0
N/A
2006
87
70
0.48
0.62
5.8
8.9
34.6
24.3
22.3
21.1
10.2
N/A
0.0
N/A
2005
75
55
0.55
0.77
6.0
8.0
31.8
22.0
18.8
18.1
8.7
N/A
0.0
N/A
2004
69
49
1.02
0.64
5.9
8.7
31.3
21.9
19.5
18.0
8.5
N/A
0.3
N/A
2003
70
52
0.99
0.33
6.5
12.4
29.5
20.3
N/A
N/A
8.4
N/A
0.4
N/A
2002
75
49
0.71
0.28
6.3
12.2
30.2
21.0
N/A
N/A
8.4
N/A
2.1
N/A
2001
84
61
0.80
0.29
5.9
13.9
30.2
22.0
N/A
N/A
9.1
N/A
1.5
N/A
2000
66
60
0.89
0.30
6.7
13.2
31.1
23.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.3
N/A
Natural disasters
Type
Miami
Sunshine Parkway
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
63%
76.5%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
1.1%
5.7%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
10%
27%
Transportation
Miami boasts an extensive public transportation system with the Metrorail, Metromover, and Metrobus, making commuting relatively easy. Sunshine Parkway, being a smaller area, relies more on private vehicles, although local buses service the area.
Transport
Type
Miami
Sunshine Parkway
Amtrak stations
2
0
Amtrak stations nearby
3
3
FAA registered aircraft
1
0
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
159
0
Means of transportation to work
Type
Miami
Sunshine Parkway
Bicycle
0.8%
0.4%
Bus
3.8%
0.4%
Carpooled
8.5%
9.1%
Car alone
81.1%
83.1%
Railroad
0.2%
0.1%
Streetcar
0.5%
0%
Subway
0.3%
0%
Taxicab
0.2%
0%
Walked
2.6%
0.7%
Average travel time to work
Type
Miami
Sunshine Parkway
Average
33.7 min
28.2 min
Real Estate
Miami’s real estate market is diverse, with luxury condos and beachfront properties being popular. Conversely, Sunshine Parkway's real estate market consists of suburban homes, townhouses, apartments, and condos covering a wide price range.
Houses and residents
Type
Miami
Sunshine Parkway
Houses
219,775
59,133
Average household size (people)
2.5
2.6
Houses occupied
192,219 (87.5%)
53,034 (89.7%)
Houses occupied by owners
58,463 (30.4%)
45,720 (86.2%)
Houses occupied by renters
133,756 (69.6%)
7,314 (13.8%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$2,006
$2,234
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$1,201,540
$578,370
Estimated median house or condo value
$411,300
$443,807
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.4
5.5
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
5
5.6
Renting percentage
67.7%
16.8%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
6,160.8
439.8
Household income disparities
51.3%
39.7%
Housing units without a mortgage
686 (2.1%)
7,773 (21.9%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
1,692 (5.1%)
111 (0.3%)
Housing units with a mortgage
32,656 (97.9%)
27,764 (78.1%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
36 (0.1%)
2,923 (8.2%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
2,892 (8.7%)
3,229 (9.1%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.6%
0.3%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
26,340
3,890
State government workers
3,509
1,433
Unpaid family workers
695
222
Industries and Occupations
Miami offers diverse employment opportunities ranging from tourism and hospitality to finance and international trade. Sunshine Parkway, less urbanized, sees more occupations in local businesses, retail, and service sectors.
Miami, being a large city, hosts a plethora of healthcare institutes, including top-ranking hospitals and specialty clinics. Sunshine Parkway has smaller local clinics and hospitals but residents have access to all necessary healthcare services.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Miami
Sunshine Parkway
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Miami possesses significant infrastructure, including public transportation, hospitals, schools, and entertainment venues. It's a bustling city, characterized by modern buildings and busy highways. Sunshine Parkway, however, presents a quieter suburban setting, with smaller local amenities and less crowded roads.
Infrastructure
Type
Miami
Sunshine Parkway
TV stations
26
30
Culture and Food
Miami is renowned for its vibrant culture and diverse cuisine, influenced by its multicultural population. Sunshine Parkway offers more traditional American and Southern cuisine, with a slower-paced lifestyle.
Sports Teams
Miami is home to many professional sports teams, including the Miami Heat for basketball lovers and the Miami Dolphins for football fans. Sunshine Parkway does not have any major sports teams but residents have access to local sports clubs.
Miami, FL
Sunshine Parkway, FL
Miami, FL and 
Sunshine Parkway, FL : 49.9 miles
