Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Boise +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Lakeland
74.1%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 82,506 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 48.4 | Boise + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 12.9% | Lakeland + |
| White | 83.6% | 74.1% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 8.8% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 3.7% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 14.4% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Lakeland
$60,465
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Lakeland
$36,322
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Lakeland
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Lakeland
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $60,465 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $36,322 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $65,328 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.3% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 12.0% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 26.8% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Lakeland
61.1%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $312,001 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 61.1% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Lakeland
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Lakeland
1453
| Metric | Boise, ID | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 324 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1453 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Lakeland
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Lakeland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Lakeland
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Lakeland
14.1%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 38.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 72.6°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 54.8 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Lakeland
25.6 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 25.6 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Lakeland. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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