Cleveland OH 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Cleveland +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Lakeland
8.8%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 82,506 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 48.4 | Cleveland + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 12.9% | Lakeland + |
| White | 36.7% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 46.8% | 8.8% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 3.7% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 14.4% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Lakeland
$60,465
Lakeland +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Lakeland
26.8%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $60,465 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $36,322 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $65,328 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 26.8% | Lakeland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Lakeland
$312,001
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $312,001 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Lakeland
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 324 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Lakeland
38.9%
Lakeland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Lakeland
13.3%
Lakeland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Cleveland +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 38.9% | Lakeland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 13.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.3% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 16.4% | Cleveland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.9% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 14.1% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 72.6°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 54.8 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lakeland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
Lakeland
25.6 min
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 25.6 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakeland leads in median household income at $60,465, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Lakeland. 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, Lakeland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.9%.
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