Columbus 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Lakeland
12.9%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Lakeland
8.8%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Lakeland
3.7%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 82,506 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 48.4 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 12.9% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 29.0% | 8.8% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 3.7% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 14.4% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
Lakeland
$60,465
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
Lakeland
$36,322
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $60,465 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $36,322 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $65,328 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 26.8% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Lakeland
$312,001
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $312,001 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Lakeland
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 324 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Lakeland
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 38.9% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.3% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 18.3% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 16.4% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.9% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 14.1% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Columbus +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 54.8 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
Lakeland
25.6 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 25.6 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Columbus 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, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
Compare More Cities
Columbus, OH vs New York, NYColumbus, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Columbus, OHColumbus, OH vs Houston, TXColumbus, OH vs Phoenix, AZColumbus, OH vs Philadelphia, PA