Asheville NC vs Lakeland FL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Asheville, NC
North Carolina · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$461,425
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Lakeland
12.9%
White
Asheville
N/A
Lakeland
74.1%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Lakeland
8.8%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Lakeland
3.7%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Lakeland
14.4%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 82,506 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 48.4 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 12.9% | - |
| White | N/A | 74.1% | - |
| Black | N/A | 8.8% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 3.7% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 14.4% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Lakeland
$60,465
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Lakeland
$36,322
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Lakeland
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Lakeland
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $60,465 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $36,322 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $65,328 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.3% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 12.0% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 26.8% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Lakeland
61.1%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $312,001 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 61.1% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Lakeland
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Lakeland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Lakeland
14.1%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 38.9% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.3% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 18.3% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 16.4% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.9% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.1% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Asheville +
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Asheville +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 72.6°F | Asheville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 54.8 in | Asheville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Lakeland
25.6 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 25.6 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Asheville. Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Asheville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.5%.
Compare More Cities
Asheville, NC vs New York, NYAsheville, NC vs Los Angeles, CAAsheville, NC vs Chicago, ILAsheville, NC vs Houston, TXAsheville, NC vs Phoenix, AZAsheville, NC vs Philadelphia, PA