Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Lakeland
8.8%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 82,506 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 48.4 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 12.9% | Lakeland + |
| White | 27.4% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 60.0% | 8.8% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.7% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 14.4% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Lakeland
$60,465
Lakeland +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Lakeland
$36,322
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Lakeland
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $60,465 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $36,322 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $65,328 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 26.8% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Lakeland
$312,001
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $312,001 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 324 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Baltimore +
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Lakeland
13.3%
Lakeland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 38.9% | Baltimore + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 13.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 18.3% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 16.4% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 14.9% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.1% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Baltimore +
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Baltimore +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 72.6°F | Baltimore + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 54.8 in | Baltimore + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 25.6 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakeland leads in median household income at $60,465, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baltimore scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.1%.
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