Chandler AZ 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)
Chandler, AZ
Arizona · Population: 278,123
- Median HH Income$103,691
- Median Home Price$524,013
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
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
Chandler
278,123
Chandler +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chandler
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Chandler
37.4
Chandler +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Chandler
15.4%
Chandler +
Lakeland
12.9%
White
Chandler
62.6%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Chandler
5.2%
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Asian
Chandler
11.4%
Chandler +
Lakeland
3.7%
Hispanic
Chandler
21.4%
Chandler +
Lakeland
14.4%
Spanish at Home
Chandler
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 278,123 | 82,506 | Chandler + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 48.4 | Chandler + |
| Foreign Born | 15.4% | 12.9% | Chandler + |
| White | 62.6% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 5.2% | 8.8% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 3.7% | Chandler + |
| Hispanic | 21.4% | 14.4% | Chandler + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chandler
$103,691
Chandler +
Lakeland
$60,465
Per Capita Income
Chandler
$51,746
Chandler +
Lakeland
$36,322
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chandler
$59,120
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Unemployment Rate
Chandler
3.6%
Chandler +
Lakeland
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Chandler
7.7%
Chandler +
Lakeland
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chandler
46.8%
Chandler +
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,691 | $60,465 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,746 | $36,322 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $65,328 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.3% | Chandler + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 12.0% | Chandler + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 26.8% | Chandler + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chandler
$524,013
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Homeownership Rate
Chandler
65.6%
Chandler +
Lakeland
61.1%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $524,013 | $312,001 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.6% | 61.1% | Chandler + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
450
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
2150
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 324 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
28.2%
Chandler +
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.1%
Chandler +
Lakeland
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chandler
14.1%
Chandler +
Lakeland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.7%
Chandler +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chandler
16.7%
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.4%
Chandler +
Lakeland
14.1%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.2% | 38.9% | Chandler + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 13.3% | Chandler + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.1% | 18.3% | Chandler + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 16.4% | Chandler + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.9% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 14.1% | Chandler + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | 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.)
Chandler
7.1 µg/m³
Chandler +
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chandler
75.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Chandler + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chandler
26.1 min
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 25.6 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chandler leads in median household income at $103,691, 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 450 in Chandler. Chandler has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Chandler has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chandler scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.2%.
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