Denver CO 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)
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
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
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denver
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Denver
35.2
Denver +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Denver
13.9%
Denver +
Lakeland
12.9%
White
Denver
62.9%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Denver
8.8%
Denver +
Lakeland
8.8%
Asian
Denver
3.6%
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Hispanic
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Lakeland
14.4%
Spanish at Home
Denver
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 82,506 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 48.4 | Denver + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 12.9% | Denver + |
| White | 62.9% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 8.8% | Denver + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 3.7% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 27.9% | 14.4% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Lakeland
$60,465
Per Capita Income
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Lakeland
$36,322
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Lakeland
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Denver
4.6%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Lakeland
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,681 | $60,465 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $61,202 | $36,322 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $65,328 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 12.0% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.6% | 26.8% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denver
$541,899
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Homeownership Rate
Denver
49.1%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $541,899 | $312,001 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
512
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
3234
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 324 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Lakeland
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
Lakeland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denver
13.3%
Denver +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denver
25.9%
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
Lakeland
14.1%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.6% | 38.9% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 13.3% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 18.3% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 16.4% | Denver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 25.9% | 14.9% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 14.1% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
N/A
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Denver, CO | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | 54.8 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denver
75.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Denver, CO | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Denver
27.4 min
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 25.6 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, 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 512 in Denver. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
Compare More Cities
Denver, CO vs New York, NYDenver, CO vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Denver, CODenver, CO vs Houston, TXDenver, CO vs Phoenix, AZDenver, CO vs Philadelphia, PA