Durham NC 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)
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
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
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
Lakeland
12.9%
White
Durham
44.0%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Lakeland
8.8%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Lakeland
3.7%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Lakeland
14.4%
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 82,506 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 48.4 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 12.9% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 34.4% | 8.8% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 3.7% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 14.4% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Lakeland
$60,465
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Lakeland
$36,322
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Lakeland
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $60,465 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $36,322 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $65,328 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.3% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 26.8% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $312,001 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Durham +
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Lakeland
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
Lakeland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Lakeland
14.1%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 38.9% | Durham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 13.3% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.3% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 16.4% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.9% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 14.1% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Durham +
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Durham +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Durham, NC | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 72.6°F | Durham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 54.8 in | Durham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
Lakeland
25.6 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 25.6 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, 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 398 in Durham. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Durham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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