Bellevue WA 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)
Bellevue, WA
Washington · Population: 151,199
- Median HH Income$161,300
- Median Home Price$1,527,243
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+71.4%
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
Bellevue
151,199
Bellevue +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellevue
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Bellevue
38.3
Bellevue +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Bellevue
42.1%
Bellevue +
Lakeland
12.9%
White
Bellevue
45.0%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Bellevue
2.2%
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Asian
Bellevue
41.0%
Bellevue +
Lakeland
3.7%
Hispanic
Bellevue
8.5%
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Spanish at Home
Bellevue
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 82,506 | Bellevue + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.3 | 48.4 | Bellevue + |
| Foreign Born | 42.1% | 12.9% | Bellevue + |
| White | 45.0% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 2.2% | 8.8% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 41.0% | 3.7% | Bellevue + |
| Hispanic | 8.5% | 14.4% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellevue
$161,300
Bellevue +
Lakeland
$60,465
Per Capita Income
Bellevue
$92,441
Bellevue +
Lakeland
$36,322
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellevue
$76,120
Bellevue +
Lakeland
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Bellevue
4.0%
Bellevue +
Lakeland
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Bellevue
7.3%
Bellevue +
Lakeland
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellevue
71.4%
Bellevue +
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $161,300 | $60,465 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Income | $92,441 | $36,322 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $65,328 | Bellevue + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 4.3% | Bellevue + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 12.0% | Bellevue + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.4% | 26.8% | Bellevue + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellevue
$1,527,243
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Homeownership Rate
Bellevue
51.9%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,527,243 | $312,001 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.9% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
383
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
3409
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 324 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
18.8%
Bellevue +
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
6.9%
Bellevue +
Lakeland
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellevue
12.5%
Bellevue +
Lakeland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.4%
Bellevue +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
15.6%
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.5%
Bellevue +
Lakeland
14.1%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 18.8% | 38.9% | Bellevue + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 13.3% | Bellevue + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 18.3% | Bellevue + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 16.4% | Bellevue + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.9% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 5.5% | 14.1% | Bellevue + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellevue
7.5 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellevue
75.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellevue
25.6 min
Lakeland
25.6 min
Tie
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 25.6 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellevue leads in median household income at $161,300, while 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 383 in Bellevue. Bellevue has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellevue scores better with a lower obesity rate of 18.8%.
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