Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Lakeland
8.8%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 82,506 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 48.4 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 12.9% | Lakeland + |
| White | 11.7% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 76.8% | 8.8% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.7% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 14.4% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Lakeland
$60,465
Lakeland +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Lakeland
26.8%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $60,465 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $36,322 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $65,328 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 26.8% | Lakeland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Lakeland
$312,001
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $312,001 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 324 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Lakeland
38.9%
Lakeland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Lakeland
13.3%
Lakeland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Lakeland
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 38.9% | Lakeland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 18.3% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 16.4% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.9% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 14.1% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 72.6°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 54.8 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lakeland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 25.6 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakeland leads in median household income at $60,465, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Detroit, MI vs New York, NYDetroit, MI vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Detroit, MIDetroit, MI vs Houston, TXDetroit, MI vs Phoenix, AZDetroit, MI vs Philadelphia, PA