Flint 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)
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
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
Flint
80,835
Lakeland
82,506
Lakeland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Flint +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
White
Flint
34.4%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Lakeland
8.8%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 82,506 | Lakeland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 48.4 | Flint + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 12.9% | Lakeland + |
| White | 34.4% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 56.6% | 8.8% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 3.7% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 14.4% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Lakeland
$60,465
Lakeland +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Lakeland
26.8%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $60,465 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $36,322 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $65,328 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 26.8% | Lakeland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Lakeland
$312,001
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $312,001 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Flint, 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
Flint
50.5%
Lakeland
38.9%
Lakeland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Lakeland
13.3%
Lakeland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Flint +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Lakeland
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 38.9% | Lakeland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 13.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 18.3% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 16.4% | Flint + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.9% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 14.1% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 72.6°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 54.8 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Flint, 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
Flint
25.0 min
Flint +
Lakeland
25.6 min
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 25.6 min | Flint + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakeland leads in median household income at $60,465, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. 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
Flint, MI vs New York, NYFlint, MI vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Flint, MIFlint, MI vs Houston, TXFlint, MI vs Phoenix, AZFlint, MI vs Philadelphia, PA