Boca Raton FL 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)
Boca Raton, FL
Florida · Population: 98,833
- Median HH Income$102,722
- Median Home Price$562,670
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+60.4%
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
Boca Raton
98,833
Boca Raton +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boca Raton
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Boca Raton
45.8
Boca Raton +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Boca Raton
20.0%
Boca Raton +
Lakeland
12.9%
White
Boca Raton
77.2%
Boca Raton +
Lakeland
74.1%
Black
Boca Raton
5.7%
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Asian
Boca Raton
3.0%
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Hispanic
Boca Raton
15.4%
Boca Raton +
Lakeland
14.4%
Spanish at Home
Boca Raton
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,833 | 82,506 | Boca Raton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 45.8 | 48.4 | Boca Raton + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 12.9% | Boca Raton + |
| White | 77.2% | 74.1% | Boca Raton + |
| Black | 5.7% | 8.8% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 3.7% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 14.4% | Boca Raton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boca Raton
$102,722
Boca Raton +
Lakeland
$60,465
Per Capita Income
Boca Raton
$72,542
Boca Raton +
Lakeland
$36,322
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boca Raton
$65,328
Lakeland
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Boca Raton
5.9%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Boca Raton
9.4%
Boca Raton +
Lakeland
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boca Raton
60.4%
Boca Raton +
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $102,722 | $60,465 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Income | $72,542 | $36,322 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.4% | 12.0% | Boca Raton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.4% | 26.8% | Boca Raton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boca Raton
$562,670
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Homeownership Rate
Boca Raton
65.8%
Boca Raton +
Lakeland
61.1%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $562,670 | $312,001 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 61.1% | Boca Raton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
324
Lakeland
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
1453
Lakeland
1453
Tie
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 324 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1453 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
23.2%
Boca Raton +
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
10.4%
Boca Raton +
Lakeland
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boca Raton
14.3%
Boca Raton +
Lakeland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
9.7%
Boca Raton +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
14.7%
Boca Raton +
Lakeland
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
8.8%
Boca Raton +
Lakeland
14.1%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.2% | 38.9% | Boca Raton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.3% | Boca Raton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | 18.3% | Boca Raton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 16.4% | Boca Raton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 14.9% | Boca Raton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 14.1% | Boca Raton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | 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.)
Boca Raton
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boca Raton
75.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boca Raton
23.4 min
Boca Raton +
Lakeland
25.6 min
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 25.6 min | Boca Raton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boca Raton leads in median household income at $102,722, 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 324 in Boca Raton. 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, Boca Raton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.2%.
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